In the News
Cost of Living Crisis - Should all households get some free energy?

5th September 2022
The left-leaning New Economics Foundation have put forward some proposals to tackle the energy crisis, and they're more radical than most.
They argue that the price cap should be ditched for the poorest members of society who should be given a free basic energy package.
The idea is that there's a minimum level of free energy use, and people who use more energy than this should pay a higher price than usual, incentivising energy efficiency.
The poorest 10% of families would get the majority of their energy use across the year free. They would pay £1,900 on average for the rest, compared with an expected bill of £6,200 in April 2023.
The richest 10% of families, who consume more energy on average, would pay double the April 2023 price cap, helping to lay for lower bills for everyone else.
It's an interesting suggestion, well-targeted, and seemingly cheaper than other proposals.
If you are interested, you can read their proposals.
First, replace the price cap with a new system for 'free basic energy' as part of a rising block tariff.
— Alfie Stirling (@alfie_stirling) September 5, 2022
The scheme could be very simple: all households receive the same amount of energy free, & everyone pays the same premium price for further energy above this. 7/ pic.twitter.com/WgqADtGGB9
You might also like

From Pasta to Turnips - the UK Food System Under Pressure
26th February 2023

Could UK inflation fall below 2% in 2023?
23rd February 2023

Why are the oil giants making such big (supernormal) profits?
13th February 2023

UK Business and Economics Update (Jan 2023)
24th January 2023

Calls for Social Tariffs mount when energy price support ends
19th January 2023

The Energy Crisis - What can 1973 teach us?
13th January 2023

Trouble ahead for the UK Economy
30th December 2022