GPs could write prescriptions for money off energy bills for the most vulnerable under a plan drawn up by the Treasury, as Liz Truss’s team signalled more help with costs now forecast to top £6,000 next year.
The unusual proposal would mean people could consult their doctor for an assessment on whether they are struggling enough to require help with their bills.
NHS heads warn of ‘humanitarian crisis’ unless government acts on energy costs Read more
A senior government source said the GP plan was “something that we are
interested in looking at” although a “long way off completion”.
The idea first reported in the Sun on Sunday was dismissed by the shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting, saying the Conservatives “have lost the plot on the cost of living crisis and haven’t got a clue about the level of pressure on the NHS”. It would probably be resisted by overstretched doctors.
It comes as the latest forecasts from energy consultants Auxilione suggested energy prices could go above £6,000 a year for the average household next year. Ofgem, the regulator, is expected to lift the price cap from £1,971 to £3,576 this week.
Truss, the frontrunner to enter No 10 next month, hinted in an interview with the Sun on Sunday that she was prepared to support people with soaring bills, after having previously said she did not favour “handouts”. She said every government “has to look at making sure life is affordable for people” and she’s looking at help “across the board”, including businesses.
In comments that suggest she may give targeted support to the lowest paid and tax cuts for others, the foreign secretary said she would not “reach first for the handout” before looking at the causes of rocketing energy bills. She said: “What I really object to is taking money off people in tax and then giving them the money back in benefits. That doesn’t make sense to me.
“So that’s why I support keeping taxes low, getting the economy going, growing our economy, dealing with the supply issues.”
She added: “Now, of course, in the budget every government has to look at making sure life is affordable for people. But what’s wrong is to reach first for the handout before you’ve addressed the root cause of a problem.”
On small businesses, many of whom are seeing energy prices rise exponentially, she said: “I’m very, very aware that it’s not just customers, or consumers, that are facing energy price problems, it’s small businesses.”
She also downplayed the prospect of a recession, despite the economy shrinking 0.1% in the last quarter.
“There is too much talk that there’s going to be a recession,” she said. “I don’t believe that’s inevitable. We can unleash opportunity here in Britain.”
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Kwasi Kwarteng, her most likely choice as chancellor, also gave an interview to the Mail on Sunday saying “help is coming”.
Truss’s leadership rival, Rishi Sunak, has previously said he will give about £10bn worth of help to offset the soaring cost of gas and electricity.
The Treasury did not deny there had been discussions about GPs having a role in deciding whether people should get help with their energy bills.
A government spokesperson said: “We know that rising prices are causing significant challenges for families, which is why we have continually taken action to help households by phasing in £37bn worth of support throughout the year, which includes specific support to help people through the difficult winter ahead…
“We are making necessary preparations to ensure a new government will have options to deliver additional support as quickly as possible.”
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This article was amended on 22 August 2022 to correct the percentage by which the economy shrank in the last quarter.
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