Stories

Wed, 01 Apr 2026

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 Energy bill support would be based on household income, Reeves says

The chancellor tells the BBC it is "too early" to say exactly who would get help but hinted any support would not arrive until the autumn.

* Any government support for households with high energy bills will be based on household income, not just those receiving benefits.
* The Chancellor has hinted that any support may not arrive until the autumn, and it's "too early" to say who will get help.
* Household energy bills are likely to rise significantly in the summer, despite a planned 7% drop in April due to Ofgem's price cap.
* The government is considering ways to support people based on their household income, rather than providing universal support like the previous Liz Truss government did.
* The Chancellor has refused to promise any immediate support for drivers, saying that keeping public finances under control is a priority.
* Wholesale oil and gas prices have soared due to supply disruptions from the Middle East, with the Strait of Hormuz currently closed.
* Other parties have proposed various solutions, including removing VAT from household energy bills or cutting fuel duty.