RISHI'S £1,200 BOOST FOR 8M

RISHI Sunak has given Britain an energy bills lifeline after unveiling a £15billion emergency support package yesterday.

- Macer Hall

More than eight million households will receive £1,200 in hand-outs as part of the giveaway.

And in an unexpected boost, the Chancellor also pledged help for every household in the country with a £400 discount on energy bills this winter.

It was also confirmed the pension triple lock system will be restored.

To fund the measures, Mr Sunak announced a £5billion temporary tax raid on the profits of oil and gas firms.

He will also raise Treasury borrowing by around £10billion.

Labour immediately accused Mr Sunak of pinching their idea of a windfall tax.

Some Tory MPs questioned the wisdom of the Government handing out cash grants to every household after raising National Insurance last month.

But the Chancellor insisted radical action was necessary to prevent millions facing serious hardship from the surge in energy bills.

Mr Sunak said: "We said we would stand by the British people.

That's a promise we made and we're delivering on that today.

"We know that people are facing challenges with the cost of living and that is why today I'm stepping in with further support to help with rising energy bills.

"We have a collective responsibility to help those who are paying the highest price for the high inflation we face. That is why I'm targeting this significant support to millions of the most vulnerable people in our society.

"I said we would stand by people and that is what this support does today."

Mr Sunak finalised his emergency package after the energy watchdog Ofgem signalled that the price cap on domestic fuels will soar to around £2,800 in the autumn.

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