Recommendation 58

The impact of the energy price crisis on households is ongoing and severe, particularly in the context of other considerable inflationary pressures, and is likely to cause an unacceptable rise in fuel poverty and hardship this winter. With wholesale Energy pricing and the future of the energy market 83 prices continuing to rise, the energy price cap is now expected to increase to well over £3,000 this winter, and to remain elevated thereafter. The scale of these price increases now renders the Government’s May 2022 support package insufficient. The Government needs to provide an urgent update to the support available to avoid a very serious crisis this winter. The Government will need to take an agile approach to delivering vital support to households as the situation develops. But enduring solutions are needed, including an urgent consultation on a social tariff and a far- reaching home insulation programme.