Starmer's promise on fuel bills signals start of ramped-up summer offensive

Labour is planning a campaigning blitz to take ownership of its new energy price cap policy in case the next Tory leader bows to pressure and cancels the 80% rise expected in October.

- Jessica Elgot and Peter Walker

Keir Starmer has vowed that his party "wouldn't let people pay a penny more" on their gas and electricity bills this winter, proposing freezing the price cap at current levels and preventing the average household bill from reaching £3,600.

Senior sources said the party had limited time to get out its message before the next Tory leader, presumed to be Liz Truss, enters No 10. The new prime minister will need to produce a comprehensive cost of living package, despite Truss's reticence to spell out how she would help beyond tax cuts.

Labour will ramp up efforts to promote the policy in the coming days including with digital ads, campaign tools for local parties and with direct mail for MPs to use. Plans for the summer offensive have been in the works since mid-July.

Over the coming weeks, the party will set out more on their energy policy offer, including plans to upgrade 19m homes to make them more energy efficient, doubling onshore and offshore wind capacity and tripling solar power.

Starmer has said Labour's plan, funded in part by an expanded windfall tax, is the radical approach needed to help households and reduce inflation, contrasting it with the inaction of a "lame duck" government.