Everyone will have to cut back on energy use in the winter, warns expert

Will Hodgson said help for consumers need to be targeted to help those most in need

A consumer expert has criticised the Government for inaction on energy bills and warned that everyone will have to find ways to save energy this winter.

Will Hodgson told GB News: “We’re all in the same boat and fundamentally where we are is in a state of complete reliance on very, very expensive gas.

“And that applies at a national level where we’ve got it in our fuel mix, and it also applies in our homes and in our businesses where we’re using so much of it.

“Now, the truth is that we as consumers, as business owners, we can’t do much. All we can do now is try to use as little energy as possible which is why the order of the day for this winter is going to be energy efficiency – wherever you can find it.”

Mr Hodgson was speaking during an interview on Breakfast with Eamonn Holmes and Ellie Costello and was asked if freezing prices was feasible.

“It can be done – something has to happen,” he said. “There’s been a complete vacuum where there should be leadership and policy, because we’ve got a Tory Party leadership contest going on.

In that can you’ve seen policies from Labour, policies from Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister, we also see Scottish Power, and British Gas today announcing they’re giving 10% of their profits to help their most vulnerable customers.

“We are going to see something and there is some debate. The concept to keep in your head is we want to target help at the people who need it the most, almost go universal and give it to everyone.”

Asked about universal help with energy bills, he added: “When you say freeze the price cap, that sounds great, right?

“But actually you’re freezing the price cap for someone who pays £10,000 pounds a year, they’re raking in the cash every month, they work in finance – they don’t really need the help.

“If you freeze the price cup, you’re basically paying half their bill.

“So giving that person £5,000 pounds that he doesn’t really need, meanwhile, someone’s paying £4,000 pounds a year. They’re really struggling and they get £2,000 pounds.

“So that’s where universalism seems to be what makes sense, but actually when you look at the numbers, you’re not really getting the help to the people who need it.

“I think we’ve started targeting already and I think we should double down on it.”