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20th Sep 2022

Prime minister promises UK will not ration energy – but says higher bills are worth it

April Curtin

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 20: British Prime Minister Liz Truss speaks to the media at the Empire State building as World leaders begin to gather for the 77th UN General Assembly, on September 20, 2022 in New York City. After two years of holding the session virtually or in a hybrid format, 157 heads of state and representatives of government are expected to attend the General Assembly in person. (Photo by Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images)

She said the UK “cannot jeopardise our security for the sake of cheap energy”.

Liz Truss has promised that Brits will not be asked to ration energy – but said higher bills are “a price worth paying” for the nation’s security.

Speaking on the way to New York for a United Nations General Assembly (Unga) on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said she will not be telling UK households to use less energy in the upcoming winter months, like countries such as Germany have done.

Her plans to deal with soaring bills amid the cost of living crisis include an energy price guarantee to limit how much suppliers can charge for each unit of energy. Green levies will also be removed from bills, and the government will pay for both measures by borrowing.

On her flight to New York, Ms Truss told the BBC higher fuel bills were “a price worth paying for Britain, because our long-term security is paramount”.

Household energy bills will rise to £2,500 a year on average from October 1 – partly because of reductions in Russian gas exports as a result of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Truss said the UK “cannot jeopardise our security for the sake of cheap energy”.

The PM said plans which are to be outlined later this week would prevent future energy bill increases, and “guarantee” that households “won’t have to pay fuel bills that are unaffordable”.

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liz truss