We'll Protect You From Scourge Of Rising Fuel Bills

‘There’ll be no winter gas shortage'

- Macer Hall

Millions will be protected from crippling fuel bills this winter, ministers have vowed.

Price hikes could force some families to choose “between heating or eating”, consumer groups had warned.

Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, has pledged to shield the nation from the gas industry crisis threatening the price surge. He told MPs the Government’s “number one” priority will be preventing households from feeling the impact of the surge in the price of wholesale natural gas in Europe.

He said: “Customers, especially and most particularly vulnerable customers, must be protected from price spikes.

“I must stress that protecting consumers is our number one primary focus and will shape our entire approach to this important issue.

“I’d like to reassure all members, and honourable members and their constituents, that the energy price cap – which still saves 15 million households up to £100 a year – is staying, isn’t going anywhere.

“Consumers come first. We must protect our constituents.”

Mr Kwarteng also hit out at “alarmist” claims that the country could be hit by gas supply shortages this winter.

He added: “Britain benefits from having a diverse range of gas supply sources. We have sufficient capacity and more than sufficient capacity to meet demand, and we do not expect supply emergencies to occur this winter.

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