No more cheap energy, warns cabinet minister John Hutton

John Hutton, the Business Secretary, admits households will struggle to pay their heating bills this winter due to rising costs.

But he effectively rules out imposing a windfall tax on energy firms because it would only lead to higher charges for customers.

He says: “The era of cheap energy is over. The question is how are we going to adjust to that and what sort of help can we provide to those who are going to struggle the most.

“There is genuine concern about the difficulties that people will face paying their heating bills over the coming winter and we are looking at extra support.

“What we shouldn’t do is create a climate that makes it harder to attract new investment. The new nuclear investment, the new renewables investment, the new investment in clean coal and gas…”

Daily Telegraph