Great Britain
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More than half of Britons believe their utility bills are 'justified' as they face a cost of living crisis

More than half (55%) of Britons said thata predictable spike in prices would justify a coordinated campaign tonot pay their electricity bills.this winter, according to a new poll.

Also, nearly half (44%) said consumers would not get more help with the bill, which he expects to reach £3,500 from October and over £4,000 by spring. , afraid that riots will break out.

Survey by pollster Savanta revealed that former prime minister Rishi Sunak had promised the most vulnerable households "hundreds of pounds more" if he became prime minister. However, Liz Truss, a rival to the Conservative leadership, has refused to promise direct payments to those most in need.

The two of her are embroiled in a raging battle over Boris Johnson's succession, while Gordon's former Prime Minister Brown and his emergency aid package from the CBI Despite being asked to unite behind their backs, they apparently did not respond at all.

But Mr Johnson said he was "absolutely certain" that whoever entered 10 Downing Street in September would announce more support. At a reception at No 10, he said, "I am confident that we have the financial strength and the space to continue to care for people, as we have always done."

Consumer Expert Martin Lewis said the 'zombie' government needs to 'wake up' no sooner than 5 September when a new prime minister will be elected by the Conservatives.

Money Saving Expert's founder warned that the amount being sought is "out of reach for millions", adding:

About 100,000 people have now signed a pledge with campaign group Don't Pay UK to cancel direct debits of their energy bills from 1 October if they are not brought down to 'affordable' levels. have signed.

The Independent 's Savanta poll today found that 7% of consumers said they had already refused to pay their bills in full, and another 19% said they would. Only 35% said that organized non-payment campaigns were unjustified, and 10% said they were unaware.

A similar number said they were ready to join protests against energy companies, and 29% believed civil unrest was justified as part of the drive for change.

About 44% said they believed riots were likely to occur in the coming months amid growing anger over rising gas and electricity costs. However, only 26% believe it will be an effective way to secure additional assistance.

In contrast, 50% believe that payment boycotts are effective and 40% believe they are ineffective.

The authors of Margaret Thatcher's book Can't Pay, Can't Pay, a history of the 'community charge' that provoked the mass protests that led to her downfall in 1990, argue that the issue is 'currently The Poll Tax Moment for the Government of ”.

"Everyone cite her March 1990 riots, but they were so important because they sent shockwaves through the entire regime," said Simon Hanna.told The Independent. Percentage of people who do not pay or do not pay in full.

"This is a very similar social combustible mixture. There are many people who suffer from very low welfare benefits and who have not received a proper raise in over ten years. I think it's possible, it has a different dynamic just because it's aimed directly at energy companies rather than governments."

Brits preparing for a financially tough winter So energy is way above the list of concerns. About 53% said paying their electricity bill was their biggest concern, followed by paying for food (15%), car fuel (8%) and rising interest rates (7%).

Mr. Truss emphasized tax cuts on direct payments as a solution to the cost-of-living crisis,but said overtaxation was his biggest economic concern. Only he was 5%.

About 65% of respondents, including 75% of those over the age of 55, said they had already started reducing their energy use to save money.

Nearly half (48%) said they should cut back on spending on other essentials such as food and clothing, including 49% who are over 55 years old. He further said 22% are considering cutting gas and electricity and 30% of other essentials in the coming months.

Labor's shadow jobs and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth said there was clear evidence that seniors were living without pensions due to fear of rising prices. Stated.

He points to figures released last week by the National Bureau of Statistics suggesting that his 13 million people over the age of 50 have already reduced their gas and electricity use.

And he told The Independent that pensioners turn off refrigerators to save money and sit in dark places to avoid using gas or electricity to keep warm. He said more and more people were eating sandwiches instead of meals.

One charity reported being denied free refrigerators and freezers. It would be a devastating blow for us," Ashworth said.

“The government has already hit pensioners hard by imposing huge real cuts to public pensions.

"Instead of the promise of a fantastic island paid for by more cuts, action is needed now from ministers, but instead this zombie government It just provides a lot of hard work.”

According to Mr Lewis, analyst Cornwall Insight estimated the January energy price cap at £4,266, compared with Mr Snak's £1,400 higher than expected when the package was first announced, reaching 45% of the state. pension.

The figures add to his October rise previously predicted, as he urged Mr Sunak to provide up to £1,200 of support per household, 'many needy'. , he said Lewis.

And he argued that tax cuts proposed by Ms. Truss - including reversing the National Insurance rate hike, suspending the environmental tax on the energy bill, and repealing the planned corporate tax hike - would no longer exist. I warned you it would be gone.

"Tax cuts will not help the poorest, including many of the elderly and disabled who have high rates of use," Lewis said. "Cutting Green Levi is just putting a little bandage on a gaping wound." but when asked if he would provide a few hundred more pounds to the poorest households, he said yes. We want to make sure income families get the support they need," the former prime minister told ITV News.

"I always want to make sure these families, especially those with pensions and low income, feel safe."

Earlier, he warned that her tax cut plan "doesn't help those people at all." The foreign minister, who said he would not distribute it, refused to promise direct payments to the most needy.

"What is clear is that we will cut taxes from day one," she said.

"It's all about growing the economy. If you keep the top tax rate in this country for 70 years, you can't grow the economy. And I'm determined to change that."

"I am determined to challenge orthodoxy. And I am determined to do something different. But I will not write a budget in advance." 97}

- Savanta questioned 2,239 adults in the UK on 6 and 7 August.