Labour’s £29bn energy price freeze plan explained

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has defended his party's plans to freeze energy price rises for all consumers, saying it's not just the most hard-up families who will struggle to pay soaring bills.

Labour wants to cap energy bills at £1,971 a year for the average household, and says it will be partly funded by increasing the windfall tax on oil and gas firms.

Critics say the plan would be very expensive - and would have to be continued beyond next spring.

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[elio_fay]

how about we let the public own energy like in France. EDF is literally owned by France, we pay our bills to the french while they own their energy

[kdark]

We currently get these cuts and packages for stuff to help us out, then they raise taxes to get it back without the intentions of putting it back down again. We're getting mugged off.

[Si-Toecutter]

"your bills are gonna be 2k"...
"oh we're not having that!"
"OK...errr .. yuor bills are gonna be 4k"
"oh we're not having that"
"We're gonna freeze your bills at 2k"
"Oh hurray, thanks! we've been saved and now only have to pay 2k"

we are soooo stupid, its like when we fought poll tax so they said "ok you win.... but this new one is called council tax" "oh thats fine, we will pay that"

[blazzz]

Meanwhile the *actual prime minister* has been on a bender- Greece, Slovenia, weddings you name it. But the right wing media do have time to scrutinise Starmer and have a go at his "expensive shirt"

[lauralishes]

It's actually a good plan. Also reduces inflation, all while Sunak builds his new £400k swimming pool, Truss plays dress up standing in the mirror trying to channel Maggie Thatcher, and Bozo goes on his second holiday in 2 weeks.

[johanschmidt]

We need to renationalise energy companies by taxing them until they are unprofitable

[lauralishes]

We need rid of the Tories. Everything is so much worse under the Tories, absolutely everything. They've run this country into the ground

[michaelrch]

Nationalisation of the big 5 would cost about 10% more than what Labour are already committed to spending.
Starmer IS ideologically opposed to public ownership, despite his lies in 2020 to the contrary.

[georgeroberts]

Can someone please remind this clown starmer that he is the opposition, not a Tory cheerleader. Everyone knows that the utilities must be nationalised, billions leave the country every year in profits. British resources belong to the British people not foreign companies. They cost the taxpayer more now than when they were nationalised. It's an absolute disgrace.

[parametr]

Choices during a crisis:
- go on a month-long vacation even if you are the government who's responsible for fixing it
- building proposal even if you are the opposition party
Which of those two do you want to lead your country?

[ElSWVisitor]

Politicians are famous for always being honest and keeping promises so this must be good

[dye]

You need to cut the damn price then freeze it. Petrol, elctricity, water and gas. They think it is acceptable to freeze prices when it is at the highest, they really think we are all idiots.

[ilonamorland]

These energy companies have made billions of profits over every year, they need stopping

[alfi_csgo]

Tories out. It’s been 12 horrific years and this country has had enough.

[mattbooth]

"Help to those who need it the most" is actually most people in this country.

It doesn't matter what your household income is, £4, 200-£5, 000 a year for energy is simply unworkable and unacceptable for ALL of the country.

The price of £1, 400 was a lot, then it rose to £1, 900 and now it's going to more than double again. All the while, energy companies post record profits in the billions. No, just no. They should not be making profits at a time of crisis.

[grahamturner]

How can it even be called a price cap anymore?

[wilfredwayne]

How doubling the prices can ever be justified I'll never know.

[daleharlow]

I bet the energy companies want the government to pay for it with our tax money whilst they and let's not forget this:: they are making a fortune

[colincampbell]

Note for any critics.
Well - where is the tory plan?

[paulhoskin]

Great idea starmer keep taxing the energy companies until the energy prices come down