credit.- people on universal credit. olivia, if rishi sunak — people on universal credit. olivia, if rishi sunak doesn't _ people on universal credit. olivia, if rishi sunak doesn't win, - people on universal credit. olivia, if rishi sunak doesn't win, is - people on universal credit. olivia, if rishi sunak doesn't win, is that l if rishi sunak doesn't win, is that his political career over, do you think? would he be prepared to serve in a liz truss government, and if she fails, could he ever win the tory leadership? i she fails, could he ever win the tory leadership?— tory leadership? i think it's interesting _ tory leadership? i think it's interesting in _ tory leadership? i think it's interesting in this - tory leadership? i think it's interesting in this interview tory leadership? i think it's - interesting in this interview that he's done — interesting in this interview that he's done is a bit more of the rishi sunak— he's done is a bit more of the rishi sunak we saw a right of the beginning of this competit

credit, _ just mentioned, a rise to universal credit, for— just mentioned, a rise to universal credit, for instance you need to update — credit, for instance you need to update the computer systems. that could _ update the computer systems. that could have — update the computer systems. that could have been going on right now. this isht— could have been going on right now. this isn't a _ could have been going on right now. this isn't a surprise. the amount is a surprise — this isn't a surprise. the amount is a surprise its— this isn't a surprise. the amount is a surprise. it's absolutely eye watering _ a surprise. it's absolutely eye watering to all of us. but we have known _ watering to all of us. but we have known for — watering to all of us. but we have known for months that energy prices are going _ known for months that energy prices are going up and going out. we have known _ are going up and going out. we have known that— are going up and going out. we have known that inflation is going up and going _ known that inflation is going up and going out — known that i

but not on universal credit in— low incomes but not on universal credit in a — low incomes but not on universal credit in a quite a problematic situatioh~ _ credit in a quite a problematic situation. some ideas are going around — situation. some ideas are going around that are far more sweeping in terms _ around that are far more sweeping in terms of— around that are far more sweeping in terms of freezing the price cap, and doing _ terms of freezing the price cap, and doing that _ terms of freezing the price cap, and doing that last idea would cost about— doing that last idea would cost about £100 billion, so that's a much bigger— about £100 billion, so that's a much bigger scale than what liz truss is talking _ bigger scale than what liz truss is talking about at the moment. we've -ot talking about at the moment. we've got hot _ talking about at the moment. we've got not long to go, in two weeks liz truss— got not long to go, in two weeks liz truss will— got not long to go, in two weeks liz truss will been prime minister for 24 hours. — truss will been prime minister

. * universal credit? not 'ust the lowest paid, but i universal credit? not just the lowest paid, but everyone i universal credit? not just the i lowest paid, but everyone needs help. the government could introduce social energy, essentially a system... because smart metres nowadays, fortunately, can tell what appliance you are using. so we can use that technology to ensure people can heat their homes and cook food, the absolute basics, for a lower price than to say heating one's pool price than to say heating one's pool, which i think we can all argue is not the same. just quickly on the legality and the risk, i would like to point out that there is an inactivity bias going on here. there is a risk of withdrawing your funds, that's absolutely true, but there is also a risk of taking no action. that risk is pointing out to these energy companies that we are all going to stay with our heads down, pay through our noses and they will continue to increase prices. they have been doing this for the past year, they have realised it works as a business model so t

it's interesting what _ universal credit. it's interesting what he — universal credit. it's interesting what he saying in the telegraph as well, _ what he saying in the telegraph as well, i_ what he saying in the telegraph as well, i think it's the telegraph, but needing a reality check on our fuel usage — but needing a reality check on our fuel usage. by but needing a reality check on our fuel usage-— but needing a reality check on our fuel usae. �*y ., ., , .,~' , ., fuel usage. by all means, take us to it. fuel usage. by all means, take us to it- there is — fuel usage. by all means, take us to it- there is a — fuel usage. by all means, take us to it. there is a big _ fuel usage. by all means, take us to it. there is a big spread _ fuel usage. by all means, take us to it. there is a big spread actually - it. there is a big spread actually inside the pages of the times. on pages six and seven of the times. a nice big picture of a house and some of the savings we might be able to make stop but i suppose they are running out of things, ways to illustrate this c

credit and we expect this to be _ universal credit and we expect this to be 90% — universal credit and we expect this to be 90% in the next couple of years — to be 90% in the next couple of years and _ to be 90% in the next couple of years. and really what we need to see if— years. and really what we need to see if direct support through universal credit and the welfare system, — universal credit and the welfare system, similarto universal credit and the welfare system, similar to that that was provided — system, similar to that that was provided during the pandemic. rightiy— provided during the pandemic. rightly the government treated the pandemic as an emergency as many single _ pandemic as an emergency as many single parents are in a far worse position— single parents are in a far worse position now than they were then. so we need _ position now than they were then. so we need to— position now than they were then. so we need to seem urgent targeted support— we need to seem urgent targeted support to those on lower incomes. additionally we need to see more support—

i think_ universal credit make in a month. i think this _ universal credit make in a month. i think this huge gap between what these _ think this huge gap between what these companies can afford to pay is starting _ these companies can afford to pay is starting to— these companies can afford to pay is starting to wow people now. people are saying _ starting to wow people now. people are saying they might stop paying their bills. it's obviously not the right— their bills. it's obviously not the right thing to do in normal times, but there — right thing to do in normal times, but there is— right thing to do in normal times, but there is a sort of grassroots movement— but there is a sort of grassroots movement building that people are saying _ movement building that people are saying they can pay what they afford — saying they can pay what they afford. it _ saying they can pay what they afford. , , ., , ,, ., ., afford. it 'ust shows desperation. absolute afford. itjust shows desperation. absolute desperation. _ afford. itjust shows desperation. absolute desperation

they simply don't have any spare money. 75% of single parents are on universal credit and we expected to be 90% in the next couple years. really, what we need to see is direct support through universal credit and the welfare system, similar to about what was provided what was —— during the pandemic. for many single parents, they're in a far worse position now. we need to see urgent support to those on lower incomes. we need to see more support for fuel bills as well. what they were announced when well. what they were announced when we weren't expecting such high rises in the fuel cap, and we really need to see more support to people because without it, they won't be able to heat their houses and feed their children. iain watson said the reality of politics will be put on hold until the new prime minister takes office. the government say they have to wait until a new prime minister is in place, and i'm afraid i have to issue a foil or alert. he wants to reverse... those feeling the squeeze will get more support. there are ideas out there, but her team are insisting that she cannot

credit_ moment you are not on universal credit and — moment you are not on universal credit and are not on pensions who are going _ credit and are not on pensions who are going to— and up needing years of —— and up needing a full credit... doyou— —— and up needing a full credit... do you mearr— —— and up needing a full credit... do you mean test now, november, december? _ do you mean test now, november, december? people... the prices are going _ december? people... the prices are going up— december? people... the prices are going up so— december? people... the prices are going up so much that people are going _ going up so much that people are going to — going up so much that people are going to be swept into proper poverty. _ going to be swept into proper poverty, and i do worry about that. also, _ poverty, and i do worry about that. also, totally right, we should be more _ also, totally right, we should be more self—sufficient, but the problem _ more self—sufficient, but the problem is we have allowed nuclear, no matter— problem is we have allowed nuc

extending the free school meals, as i said, to all families in receipt of universal credit, and coming up with this plan in how to tackle this. and it shouldn�*t be around emergency support and we do need to be thinking about how we can enable families to be able to feed their children and to not be living on the edge of poverty or in poverty all the time. as we know, as we head towards winter and winter months it is only going to become harder with the cost of living crisis we in at the cost of living crisis we in at the moment. the cost of living crisis we in at the moment-— the cost of living crisis we in at the moment. , , , .., the moment. helen, 'ust briefly, can ou cive the moment. helen, 'ust briefly, can you give some _ the moment. helen, just briefly, can you give some insight _ the moment. helen, just briefly, can you give some insight into _ the moment. helen, just briefly, can you give some insight into what - you give some insight into what families are going through and how important these meal vouchers are to them? the kind of families you and your colleagues meet a

no longer in work, she applied for universal credit. it is 875 pounds in rent arrears. she often sits in the dark to save money. >> to fear every day how you are meant to live it is something else. i did not think i would get this age and be worried about things like this. i thought it would be normal. >> the government said various discounts and payments will help households with the cost of living but there are still concerns as energy bills are set to soar further this winter. >> i do not think it will ever go back to how it was. will gas prices always be high? no, because eventually we will stop using gas altogether. this is a wake-up call. >> for now, people are planning for trickier times ahead. andrew with a hot sausage company in ipswich town center is diversifying doing weddings and corpore events. his stock prices have shot up 20%. >> only by small increment all amounts. we are scared of putting prices up. you are scared of losing marke deb -- market share. >> the rural coffee caravan is on its monthly visit. this charity signposts people to various services.

we saw it during the pandemic using the furlough scheme and the £20 uplift to universal credit per week and we need to see that again now. we need to see that the government at least doubles that support to low—income households right now, or we are going to be facing a winter of truly terrifying circumstances. a source of many of these concerns are predicted rises in the energy price cap — the maximum that can be charged for a unit of energy. last october, a typical family could expect to pay about £1,200 a year for electricity and gas. this 0ctober, it will be closer to £2,000. forecasts now suggest the figure could go up to £3,500 later this year and to more than 4,000 injanuary. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, is expected tomorrow to call for 0ctober�*s energy price cap rise to be scrapped — a position already suggested by the snp and the lib dems. the current energy minister insists this is not a realistic proposal. we would have to find a way to compensate people by effectively trying to abolish that price rise, and that would inevitably lead to higher taxes, so i

universal credits for — where can they turn to? universal credits for some _ where can they turn to? universal credits for some time _ where can they turn to? universal credits for some time and - where can they turn to? universal credits for some time and space l where can they turn to? universal i credits for some time and space and income. the energy grant has recently been announced, the best thing i would encourage to be open and honest and top with the landlord energy rather than put your head in the sand or avoid the problem and hopefully there is solution that can be worked out 60 tenant the landlord. irate be worked out 60 tenant the landlord. ~ ., ,, . i, be worked out 60 tenant the landlord. ~ ., ,, . ., landlord. we appreciate you giving us that side _ landlord. we appreciate you giving us that side of _ landlord. we appreciate you giving us that side of things. _ landlord. we appreciate you giving us that side of things. thank - landlord. we appreciate you giving us that side of things. thank you l us that side of thin

universal credit but he says it's not enough-— universal credit but he says it's not enou:h. ., �* , ., not enough. you can't save it up and bu a not enough. you can't save it up and buy a bucket — not enough. you can't save it up and buy a bucket of _ not enough. you can't save it up and buy a bucket of kerosene, _ not enough. you can't save it up and buy a bucket of kerosene, it - not enough. you can't save it up and buy a bucket of kerosene, it makes. buy a bucket of kerosene, it makes me feel up the failer. i can explain to the kids why they are cold. i don't have to do that. he to the kids why they are cold. i don't have to do that.- to the kids why they are cold. i don't have to do that. he is getting help from--- _ don't have to do that. he is getting help from... occasionally - don't have to do that. he is getting help from... occasionally they - don't have to do that. he is getting help from... occasionally they can | help from... occasionally they can fill a tank forfree help from... occasionally they can fill a tank for free and with prices doubling from last year more p

credit. but it's very clear that liz truss has grasped the scale the challenge and when she becomes prime minister on the 6th of september, we will get a sense on what she will actually do. but as you were saying, for millions across the country, they want help and reassurance now, and that's the problem with this leadership contest, we are still going around in circles with the same old sound bites and the government is not doing a single thing.— bites and the government is not doing a single thing. clear, we 'ust heard that there i doing a single thing. clear, we 'ust heard that there could i doing a single thing. clear, we 'ust heard that there could be i doing a single thing. clear, we 'ust heard that there could be tax h doing a single thing. clear, we just heard that there could be tax cuts, a number of things coming in. —— claire. but we aren't hearing the funny deep —— final detail, aren't we? i funny deep -- final detail, aren't we? ., funny deep -- final detail, aren't we?

so for instance the government could decide to increase universal credit payments but that wouldn't necessarily help the sort of people that the chancellor was talking about today. labour said that the price cap should be frozen for six months, the cost of £30 billion. energy companies have said that could happen for two years, cost £100 billion. so there are no easy choices here. there are a lot of people as you said very concerned, and this issue will define the next prime minister when they take over. define the next prime minister when they take over-— they take over. when, for the moment. _ they take over. when, for the moment, thank _ they take over. when, for the moment, thank you. - they take over. when, for the moment, thank you. ben - they take over. when, for the . moment, thank you. ben wright. two men who were arrested on suspicion of the murder of nine—year—old olivia pratt—korbel in liverpool have been released on bail. police say one of the men had been recalled to prison after breaching the terms of his licence. detectives have repeated their appeal for people to come

credit and we need support from the government we will face a winter of truly terrifying circumstances. the headlines on bbc news: reports in the us say salman rushdie, who was stabbed at an event in new york state, has been taken off a ventilator and is able to talk. ukraine's president has warned that any russian soldiers who shoot at the besieged zaporizhzhia nuclear plant will be targeted by security services. and labour is to call for the energy price cap in england, scotland and wales to be frozen in october, to help with the cost of living. several european countries have seen a wave of deadly wildfires, triggered by record temperatures and drought across the continent. here you can see there are currently major fires in much of western europe. officials are concerned that windy conditions could make the situation worse. authorities in france say the �*monster�* fire south of bordeaux is being contained although firefighters remain vigilant. our correspondent bethany bell is in the gironde region. the big fire near here has been contained. everybody here is on high alert, an

credit and we need support from the government we will face a winter of truly terrifying crisis. president zelensky says that every russian soldier who shoots at the zaporyzhzhia nuclear plant or uses it as a base to shoot from will himself become a target for ukrainian soldiers. he said russians involved in what he called "nuclear blackmail" must be tried by an international court. translation: every russian soldier who either strikes - the znpp must or shoots from its territory must realise that he will become a special target for our intelligence, special services and our army. the bbc�*s hugo bachega is in the ukrainian capital kyiv and has more now on the background of the significance of the nuclear plant. tensions remain high around the zaporizhzhia nuclear power complex. for days russia and ukraine have traded accusations of who's to blame for shelling the complex. now, russia has been occupying this complex since the beginning of march, although ukrainian technicians are still operating this facility. the ukrainians accuse russian forces of essentially turning this nuc

credit. but her team are absolutely adamant she will look at ideas but you will not commit herself to any specific new policies unless or until she is in downing street. rishi sunak wants to take vat off energy bills but as we were hearing he wants to focus any extra help on the least well off. he says he will help the most vulnerable but he hasn't told us exactly how much help he will be giving. as an indication i understand what he wants to do is to ensure that the most vulnerable, people and pension credit for example, people on disability benefits, would be in effect exempted from the entirety of the price increase. so big decisions for the incoming prime minister, as you say, and quite franklyjust like those energy bills, reeta, the pressure on those candidates to say more can only increase. join pressure on those candidates to say more can only increase. iain watson, thank you. — more can only increase. iain watson, thank you, reporting _ more can only increase. iain watson, thank you

there are ideas out there, including the temporary but substantial increase universal credit, but are insisting she cannot commit to specific policies on she becomes prime minister until she sees the full facts. critics are saying why can't she see the full facts? she is a serving member of government and the chancellor was one of her supporters. as rishi sunak, he says he will cut vat on energy bills and it will below. but not say by how much. i understand the aim of his policies to ensure that the most vulnerable are exempt entirely from the extent of the country. i think at the moment the political pressure, just like our energy bills, can rise.— pressure, just like our energy bills, can rise. well, as we've been hearing, back in may the government promised £400 knocked off the bill for every household in england, scotland and wales from october. that will come in monthly instalments of more than £60 each month through the winter as part of its cost—of—living support. today, people in northern ireland were also offered similar help. the government says there is more to come

credit but say it's not enough. it's getting gobbled up. we can't save it up and buy a bulk order of kerosene because we're spending more on everything. it makes me feel like i'm failing. i can't explain to the kids why they're cold. i don't want to have to do that. rich is getting help from rural action derbyshire, a charity which bulk—buys heating oil so its clients can get the best possible price. this month, 500 litres cost them £450. an average family would use five times that in a year. hopefully we'll be able to get you a delivery of oil in september or october. occasionally, they can fill a tank forfree, and with heating oil prices more than double this time last year, they say more people are in need of their help. there is no regulator, there is no fixed price. it's hard for people to know how much they're going to be paying going forwards, and you don't pay monthly by direct debit — it's 500 litres is the minimum quantity, so you've got to find that money all in one hit. the end fuel poverty coalitio

dallas says her gas bill went up a few months ago from £30 to £150, and although she's on universal credit and so should be eligible for extra government payments to help, she says any help now is too little, too late. it's making me feel very, very anxious all the time. just switching a light on and, you know, worrying about where i'm going to be in anotherfew months. dallas may be an extreme example, but the expected rise in energy bills will affect households around the country. today, 15 energy companies and organisations met with the prime minister, chancellor and business secretary. but while borisjohnson said that this winter would be difficult, key decisions will wait until the new prime minister is in place. that won't be until the 5th of september, and consumer groups say decisions are needed now. up untiljust july this year, we've given out 120,000 referrals to food banks and crisis support. that's actually more than 2019 and 2020 combined. so for many people, theyjust can't wait another day for the government to decide what support is needed in winter. there are different ideas

we saw it during the pandemic using the furlough scheme and the £20 uplift a universal credit per week and we need to see that again now. we need to see that the government at least doubles that support to low—income households right now or we are going to be facing a winter of truly terrifying circumstances. fix, to be facing a winter of truly terrifying circumstances. a source of many of _ terrifying circumstances. a source of many of these _ terrifying circumstances. a source of many of these concerns - terrifying circumstances. a source of many of these concerns are - of many of these concerns are predicted rises in the energy price cap, the maximum that can be charged for a unit of energy. last 0ctober, for a unit of energy. last october, a typicalfamily could for a unit of energy. last october, a typical family could expect to pay about £1200 per year for electricity and gas. this 0ctober, it will be closer to £2000. forecasts now suggest the figure could go up to £3500 later this year, and to more than 4000 injanuary. the labour leader sir keir starmer is expected tomorrow

credit, increasing the amount of help given to poorer— increasing the amount of help given to poorer households. which rishi sunak— to poorer households. which rishi sunak is— to poorer households. which rishi sunak is talking about. you are right, _ sunak is talking about. you are right, chris, the people who have the chance — right, chris, the people who have the chance to vote over who will be our next _ the chance to vote over who will be our next prime minister really do need _ our next prime minister really do need to— our next prime minister really do need to think long and hard about who is— need to think long and hard about who is going to be the best person. this isut— who is going to be the best person. this isn't going to be cured within an emergency budget, it is going to take a _ an emergency budget, it is going to take a very. — an emergency budget, it is going to take a very, very long time for us to get— take a very, very long time for us to get out— take a very, very long time for us to get out of— take a very, very long time for us to get out of

credit last october and the thousand loss to the average family because benefits are only rising 3% when inflation is 11% and no by the huge energy price rises we will have both in october and january. so there is an urgency about acting, otherwise and october people will not be able to turn on their heating and will have to choose between buying food and feeding the electricity metre and children will go to school ill clad and hungry. this is an intolerable situation putting an unbearable burden of unpayable bills on the shoulders of people least able to pay, the pensioners and children of our country. pay, the pensioners and children of our country-— our country. how would you pay for the extra spending _ our country. how would you pay for the extra spending that _ our country. how would you pay for the extra spending that would - our country. how would you pay for the extra spending that would be . the extra spending that would be required? it the extra spending that would be reuuired? , .,, ., , the extra spending that would be reuuired? , ., , ., required? it is obvious that

no longer in work, she has applied universal credit, is £875 in rent arrears and often sits in the dark to save money. to actually _ the dark to save money. trr actually fear every day how you are meant to live, it's something else... i did not think i would get to this age and be worried about things like this. you just think it is going to be normal. the first rice going to be normal. the first price increase _ going to be normal. the first price increase of _ going to be normal. the first price increase of 2022 - going to be normal. the first| price increase of 2022 in april saw annual bills rise from £1200 to nearly £2000. today's increase could see bill pay is parting with around three point £5,000. the forecasts adjust the price will go off again in january with average bills in the region of £4650. i january with average bills in the region of £4650.- the region of £4650. i don't think it will— the region of £4650. i don't think it will ever— the region of £4650. i don't think it will ever go - the region of £4650. i don't think it will ever go back - the region of �

and that is why we support tailored schemes like the £650 to those on universal credit and to pensioners etc. but what you have got from labour is a fully costed plan to deal with the increases that are likely to come in the autumn and early next year. contrast that with the zombie government who are producing absolutely no plan, no answers, to what they are going to do about the energy increase in october and then again injanuary. and i can tell you, millions of people are really worried about what is going to happen this autumn and this winter and they are hearing absolutely nothing from this government. it was said this morning _ nothing from this government. it was said this morning your _ nothing from this government. it was said this morning your scheme - nothing from this government. it was said this morning your scheme could cost as much as the furlough scheme, are you constable with that sort of expenditure? aililur are you constable with that sort of expenditure?_ expenditure? our scheme is fully funded and _ expenditure? our scheme is fully funded and our _ expenditure? our sc

, on universal credit. the difference between the market price and that will be met by the government. today's meeting with energy bosses in downing street was attended by the prime minister. major decisions are unlikely until his successor has taken over. in the meantime, citizens advice as anyone who is having trouble paying bills should get in touch with their supplier. let's get more from our political correspondent, david wallace lockhart. any news from the talks? earlier this morning bosses have energy firms met with boris johnson and the chancellor to discuss the current situation. the official downing street statement has come out since that. boris johnson downing street statement has come out since that. borisjohnson said he was urging the electricity sector to ease the cost of living pressures and the chancellor and the fans have agreed to keep working closely to try to support the public, especially the vulnerable. what there is not off the back of this meeting is any new policy, new approach to

credit and should be eligible for extra government payments to help, is it any help now is too little, too late. it help now is too little, too late. ., ~ , , late. it makes me feel very, very anxious _ late. it makes me feel very, very anxious all _ late. it makes me feel very, very anxious all the - late. it makes me feel very, very anxious all the time, i very anxious all the time, just switching a light on, worrying about where i am going to be in anotherfew months. she about where i am going to be in another few months.— about where i am going to be in another few months. she may be another few months. she may be an extreme _ another few months. she may be an extreme example, _ another few months. she may be an extreme example, but - another few months. she may be an extreme example, but the - an extreme example, but the expected rise in energy bills will affect households around the country. on thursday, 15 energy companies and organisations met with the prime minister, chancellor and business secretary. but while borisjohnson is this would be difficult. the decisions were mad

no longer in work, she's applied for universal credit, is £875 in rent arrears, and often sits in the dark to save money. to actually fear, every day, how you're meant to live... it's just something else. didn't think i'd get this age and be worried about things like this. you just think it's going to be normal. the government says various discounts and payments will help uk households with the cost of living, but there are still concerns as our energy bills are set to soar even further this winter. i don't think it will ever go back to how it was. will gas prices always be high? well, no, because eventually we've got to stop using it altogether. so this is a wake—up call of the direction we're going in. but for now, people are planning for trickier times ahead. andrew at the hot sausage company in ipswich town centre hasn't replaced a worker who's just left, and he's diversifying — doing weddings and corporate events. he says his stock prices have shot up 20%. we put our prices up last year, and we've had to put them up again this year — only by small incremental amounts, but y

, universal credit. the difference between the market price and that has to be met by the government, and the government should look carefully at how much they fund and how much they can gain through a windfall tax on oil and ask companies. if you are still ceo of npower, and invited to this meeting currently taking place, would you have listened, how far across the table when you have met the government, and what options realistically would you have had in your tool box? the issue is the inner g retailers themselves are not making excess profits at this stage —— energy retailers. forthem profits at this stage —— energy retailers. for them to step up is difficult. it is the upstream businesses which are making it. the other thing i would be saying is we need programmes to invest in energy efficiency to reduce demand, reduce fuel poverty and reduce climate change. the government cannot and that, they need to put more money into energy efficiency. it won't solve the problem this winter but it sets

although she is on universal credit and should be eligible for extra government payments to help, she says any help now is too little, too late. it says any help now is too little, too late. , . ~ , late. it is making me feelvery, very anxious — late. it is making me feelvery, very anxious all _ late. it is making me feelvery, very anxious all the _ late. it is making me feelvery, very anxious all the time. i late. it is making me feelvery, very anxious all the time. just. very anxious all the time. just switching alight on, you know, worrying about where i will be in another few months.— worrying about where i will be in another few months. dallas may be an extreme example, _ another few months. dallas may be an extreme example, but _ another few months. dallas may be an extreme example, but the _ another few months. dallas may be an extreme example, but the expected i extreme example, but the expected rise in energy bills will affect households around the country. today, 15 energy companies and organisations met with the prime minister, chancellor and business secretary. while b

what we found them was three quarters of people who receive either universal credit or other means tested benefits were already going without at least one essential, that was back at the beginning of the summer. so, with huge energy price rises on the cards, we clearly need to see quick action to support people through this period. but i think the one thing i would say as well, this is notjust thing i would say as well, this is not just about energy. thing i would say as well, this is notjust about energy. clearly, energy is the big pressure that is driving a lot of the problems that we are facing at the moment. but actually, we looked at the cost of living hit to lowest income households between april this year and april next year, and what we found is that £1800 that is the increase on the energy side, but actually, other costs have gone up by about £1000 as well. things like food, essential is that you cannot avoid, things that lower income households spend more of their money on. that is why we think that making sure that people have cash to be able to respond to this emergency is o

and we are told the _ universal credit payments and we are told the w _ universal credit payments and we are told the it system can only be updated — told the it system can only be updated a couple of times a year. use council— updated a couple of times a year. use council tax distribution through council~ _ use council tax distribution through council~ all— use council tax distribution through council. all that takes time to deliver — council. all that takes time to deliver. we would rather public funds _ deliver. we would rather public funds were targeted at those who needed _ funds were targeted at those who needed it— funds were targeted at those who needed it the most. that is the obvious— needed it the most. that is the obvious thing to do. because the government has been so relaxed, often _ government has been so relaxed, often late — government has been so relaxed, often late with its announcement of support _ often late with its announcement of support and are now refusing to say anything _ support and are now refusing to say anything because of the conservative

and you told me that you are in receipt of universal i that you are in receipt of universal credit which is about £650 a month, and at the moment, your gas and electricity bills are aboutjust over £100 a month. have you worked out what that is going to go up to with this price cap?— with this price cap? probably lookin: with this price cap? probably looking at — with this price cap? probably looking at £200 _ with this price cap? probably looking at £200 plus. - with this price cap? probably looking at £200 plus. everyl with this price cap? probably - looking at £200 plus. every month? every month. at the moment, i am using my gas, it won't be as much, but come the wintertime, it will go up but come the wintertime, it will go up to about 200, 200 £50, maybe more. —— £250. sol up to about 200, 200 £50, maybe more. —— £250. so i will have to see what i can afford and what tariffs are there, if and when they come out with the new tariffs from the energy supply that i am with. what with the new tariffs from the energy supply that i am with.— supply that i am with. wha

so changing the universal credit system, the welfare system here, and actually putting money directly into people's pockets have got 400 pounds coming that was announced previously. is that enough? all mischaracterized? probably not the 2nd lee, but i can pull is tax cuts. we're saying we're pulling today, potentially cutting b a t by 5 percent in the u. k. that will be huge, but potentially not enough. again, given the price rises that we're going to see. and the 3rd option is to communicate what we hear in this, in this place is because of the, the war in russia and the rise in the cost of wholesale gas. and by large, the british public support the cranium, people in that fight. so communicating the reasons why this is happening and actually setting out some light at the end of the tunnel. how long is this going to go on for how long we go to go through this? if i can do all 3 of those things, there's a way out if i find on one of them, and i think it's going to be very difficult time for, for the incoming government. indeed, leon and raleigh, appreciate your analysis and expertise.

"that is the price for people . on credit, on universal credit. "and the difference - between the market price and that has got to be met by the government." - today's meeting with energy bosses in downing street was attended by the prime minister. but major decisions on helping struggling people like dallas are unlikely until his successor has taken over. in the meantime, citizens advice says anyone who is having trouble paying their bills should get in touch with their supplier. theo leggett, bbc news. david warnock are standing by. this meeting _ david warnock are standing by. this meeting between _ david warnock are standing by. this meeting between these _ david warnock are standing by. this meeting between these energy - david warnock are standing by. this . meeting between these energy bosses and ministers, — meeting between these energy bosses and ministers, what— meeting between these energy bosses and ministers, what was _ meeting between these energy bosses and ministers, what was said - meeting between these energy bosses and minis

credit, and to pensioners. and we're additionally recognising that those who pay their energy bills through prepayment meters, there's about 4 million households who do that, often those households are the ones struggling most. we've got a plan on the table for them because they pay an additional premium, which has an impact on what they can then spend on food and other commodities, etc. so the plan does cover that indirectly because by reducing those energy prices, it allows people more money in their pocket this autumn than otherwise they would have. but i can't emphasise enough from the very many conversations i've had with people across the countryjust how anxious people are about what's going to happen this winter. let's talk to our political correspondent, ione wells. how likely is it that the government will take on any of what labour is proposing? the will take on any of what labour is p"°p°5i"9?_ proposing? the treasury at the moment are — proposing? the treasury at the moment are again _ proposing

credit but say it's not enough. it's getting gobbled up. we can't save it up and buy a bulk order of kerosene because we're spending more on everything. it makes me feel like i'm failing. i can't explain to the kids why they're cold. i don't want to have to do that. rich is getting help from rural action derbyshire, a charity which bulk—buys heating oil so its clients can get the best possible price. this month, 500 litres cost them £450. an average family would use five times that in a year. hopefully we'll be able to get you a delivery of oil in september or october. occasionally, they can fill a tank forfree, and with heating oil prices more than double this time last year, they say more people are in need of their help. there is no regulator, there is no fixed price. it's hard for people to know how much they're going to be paying going forwards, and you don't pay monthly by direct debit — it's 500 litres is the minimum quantity, so you've got to find that money all in one hit. the official definition varie

you can't live on £635 on universal credit and expect £1500 outgoing, and that's with sat there in the cold with tea lights heating your home and frightened to death of will you manage to walk six miles a day to go to a library there and backjust to do myjob search, just to come back to a bowl of cereal and water. i really do feel betrayed by borisjohnson. to see him smiling and happy and to know there are millions of people that aren't, it is heart wrenching to see that. there is no help, there is no end to this, itjust looks like it is going to be even worse in a few weeks. yes, the bills are going to get higher in october and then again in january, that's what the forecasts say. january, that's what the forecasts sa . ., ,., , say. the government might say in october you _ say. the government might say in october you are _ say. the government might say in october you are going _ say. the government might say in october you are going to - say. the government might say in october you are going to get i say. the government might say in. october you are going to get £1200 to help becau

, on universal credit. "and the difference between the market price and that has got to be met by the government." today's meeting with energy bosses in downing street was attended by the prime minister. but major decisions on helping struggling people like dallas are unlikely until his successor has taken over. in the meantime, citizens advice says anyone who is having trouble paying their bills should get in touch with their supplier. theo leggett, bbc news. a&e departments in england had one of their worst months ever injuly, with record numbers of patients waiting more than 12 hours to be admitted. the latest monthly performance data from nhs england also shows the number of people waiting to start routine hospital treatment has risen to an all time high. the shadow health secretary, wes streeting has told the bbc the latest figures �*reflect the biggest crisis in nhs history�* . here's our health correspondent dominic hughes. we've got no beds on trauma, no medical beds, no surgical beds. this is w

although she is on universal credit and should be eligible for extra government payments to help, she says any help now is too little, too late. it is making me feel very, very anxious all the time. just switching a light on, you know, worrying about where i will be in another few months. dallas may be an extreme example, but the expected rise in energy bills will affect households around the country. today, 15 energy companies and organisations met with the prime minister, chancellor and business secretary. while borisjohnson said this winter would be difficult, key decisions will wait until the new prime minister is in place. that won't be until the 5th of september, and consumer groups say decisions are needed now. up untiljust july this year, we have given about 120,000 referrals to foodbanks and crisis support and food banks. so for many people, they cannot wait another day for the government to decide what to do. there are different ideas about what the government can do to give more support in the next few months. one is to cut vat on energy bills, put forward by rishi sunak. t