Emma Reynolds has assured that the Labour Government will provide the “necessary support” to help Britons through the country’s energy crisis in a tense GB News grilling.
Pressed by GB News’s Ellie Costello on how the Government plans to “help British families” as they struggle with rising costs of fuel and energy bills, the Environment Secretary stated: “What I would first say is that we have said that we will provide the necessary support to help people through a very difficult and concerning geopolitical situation in the Middle East.”
The Cabinet minister acknowledged that families are facing an anxious period, emphasising that ministers are prioritising diplomatic efforts with international partners to ease tensions, recognising the direct consequences for living costs in Britain.
Ms Reynolds outlined several concrete measures designed to ease the burden on households.
The Energy Secretary highlighted how the Prime Minister unveiled a £53million support package earlier this week targeting rural communities who depend on heating oil rather than mains gas supplies.
Additionally, she made clear that all households can expect a £117 reduction in their energy bills from April.
Pushing back on Ms Reynolds’s argument, Ellie stated: “But all of those savings, as you described them become completely irrelevant, don’t they?
“When we’re talking about energy bills going up by £300, we’re already seeing petrol go up at the pumps, food’s going to get more expensive.
Emma Reynolds was grilled by GB News host Ellie Costello on how the Labour Government is going to help Britons
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GB NEWS
“We’re being warned that interest rates will be going up twice at least by the end of this year, this is going to be a really, really difficult time for people. How are you going to support British families?”
The Environment Secretary confirmed that ministers have engaged with the Competition and Markets Authority to prevent energy suppliers from exploiting the situation.
She noted: “The Chancellor and the Energy Secretary hauled in the petrol suppliers last week and warned against any what’s called price gouging.”
The Bank of England’s decision yesterday to maintain current interest rates rather than cutting or raising them provides some stability amid the uncertainty, Ms Reynolds indicated.
Borrowing figures have jumped to ‘second highest on record’ under Chancellor Rachel Reeves
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GETTYShe highlighted that borrowing costs have fallen on six occasions since the Government took office, attributing this to efforts to place public finances on a more sustainable trajectory.
Ms Reynolds argued: “We know that this is a worrying time, but what you’ve just suggested obviously are predictions.
“I would reassure families that as a Government, our prioritisation is to work with partners in different parts of the world to de escalate this crisis because we know of the impact that it’s having on the cost of living back home.”
Wrapping up her reassurances to viewers, the Environment Secretary declared: “There’s been six interest rate cuts since the election, thanks to the Government putting the public finances on a more sustainable footing.
Ms Reynolds sought to reassure Britons
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GB NEWS
“So it is a worrying time, but I want to reassure people that we will do all that’s necessary to help people through this.”
Criticising Labour’s handling of the fuel price crisis, Shadow Immigration Minister Matt Vickers hit out at Sir Keir Starmer’s “Just Stop Oil” approach to the North Sea.
He told GB News: “When you look at the challenges of the energy crisis, the problems that we’re having with oil and gas, we have oil and gas aplenty in the North Sea. This Government has made a decision not to allow us to drill that has removed the licences, allowing people to go and drill that oil and gas.
“We should have never turned the taps off on the North Sea. This is basically Keir Starmer adopting the Dale Vince Just Stop Oil approach to energy, and as a result we’re more susceptible to these sort of shocks.”