11 February 2023 , 22:27
1066
0
It’s not been, by any stretch, the easiest of winters. The NHS at breaking point, the war in Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis.
And, of course, energy bills. People have seen their payments rocket - doubling overnight.
It has plunged countless families into financial crisis.
And the Government has done little to help even the most vulnerable with the cost.
Today, we reveal the shocking toll of the energy emergency.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Doctors are being forced to cut their hours as they can no longer afford to heat their practices.
A survey shows almost half have reduced their energy use.
Many have asked staff to wear more layers so they can turn down the heating. And more still have been forced to cut hours.
Jeremy Hunt is due to deliver the Spring Budget in March (Tayfun Salci/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)It means many who have fallen ill through the freezing conditions can’t get an appointment.
Because it’s too cold.
If ever there was a wake-up call for the Government, this is it.
Ahead of the price cap lifting again in March, we need to know help is coming. The average bill is set to rise from £2,500 to £3,000.
And there’s no need. Wholesale prices have dropped. And the less said about the profits of the energy giants, the better.
Experts have said the lack of intervention would be an “act of national harm”. Labour has already said if they were in power, they would stop the price cap.
It’s a step in the right direction. But we need something quickly.
Greggs, Costa & Pret coffees have 'huge differences in caffeine', says report
Doctors are being forced to cut their hours because they can't afford heating (Getty Images)Some analysts are speculating the Chancellor may keep the cap at the upcoming Budget.
That’s great. But why wait? This is not the time for cheap political stunts. Lives are on the line.
If the Government is going to do it, they should tell us now - and offer people a bit of hope.
Hexit time for Tories
Finally. After years of effort, historians have uncovered the secret to fighting off evil curses.
They studied ‘witch bottles’ and worked out the ingredients for fighting off a hex. We could have done with this info a while ago.
Researchers have been examining 17th century 'witch bottles'For the last 13 years there’s been an evil cloud hanging over the UK and we’ll try anything to lift it. Even some light sorcery.
Altogether now: “Toe of frog and eye of newt, give this Government the boot...”