The outlook could not be more grim – the worst squeeze in living standards for 30 years, inflation soaring, growth stalling.
And from April, energy bills are to rise more than 50%. The consequences will be felt across the UK, with the worst-off suffering most.
It will mean more people being forced to choose between heating and eating, more families pushed into debt and more pensioners unable to make ends meet.
The Tory Government failed the British people by cutting grants for home insulation and winding down gas storage facilities.
And it failed them again with its limited package of support. Rishi Sunak’s energy rebate is not only insufficient, it will require households to repay the loans – at a higher price – further down the road.
The Chancellor had the opportunity today to cut VAT on fuel and impose a windfall tax on the oil and gas giants.
With Shell reporting record profits, it would have been fair and right. But Mr Sunak, a typical Tory, put big business ahead of families.
Stink of failure
With each passing day, the stench of decay around Boris Johnson’s rotten administration grows stronger.
His longest-serving aide Munira Mirza quit today in protest at his refusal to apologise for the Jimmy Savile slur against Keir Starmer.
She was soon joined by his communications director, head of staff and principal private secretary. Chancellor Rishi Sunak also distanced himself from the PM’s comment.
The party is waking up to the fact that Mr Johnson is a liability who has demeaned his office. If they care about decency, they should demand he follow the rest out of No10’s door.
I’m cold, Mam
People working on a housing development in Devon unearthed a mammoth, a creature that lived through an ice age.
With fuel bills going through the roof as winter bites, a lot of Brits will soon know how it felt – but without a woolly coat to help.
