UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is set to protect Britons from rising bills by maintaining the government’s energy price guarantee at £2,500 for another three months, according to a person familiar with the matter.
(Bloomberg) — UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is set to protect Britons from rising bills by maintaining the government’s energy price guarantee at £2,500 for another three months, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Hunt has asked energy companies to prepare for the extension, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Without prolonging the guarantee, which limits what a typical household would pay on energy each year, bills would rise to an average of £3,000 from April 1.
The Treasury did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hunt previously resisted calls to extend the current program, saying in February it would be too expensive for the Treasury. However, he’s since come under strong pressure from consumer groups and charities since to act, amid warnings of more people being pushed into fuel poverty.
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