No one should have their energy supplies cut off this winter because they cannot afford to pay their bills, the UK chancellor has said.
Nadhim Zahawi said the government was working with energy companies to ensure vulnerable people get the help and understanding they need.
His comments come amid a worsening cost-of-living crisis, which will see household disposable incomes drop by 10 per cent over the course of this year and next.
“No one should be cut off because they can’t afford their bills,” he told Sky’s Kay Burley during a visit to Washington.
“I am working with the companies, and NGOs of course, to make sure people who really are struggling get that help, both financially, the £37 billion ($43bn).
“But the companies themselves have already started to write letters and emails to ask people if they are vulnerable, if they feeling they can’t pay, they should contact their supplier, their companies.
“My pledge to your viewers is that we will deliver the £37 billion, so that £1,200 goes to the most vulnerable 8 million households [on means-tested benefits].”
Think tank the Resolution Foundation said the number of people living in absolute poverty is set to rise by three million, to 14 million in 2023-24, unless policies or economic forecasts change.
It warned wages are now falling at their fastest rate since 1997, representing a 10 per cent fall in mean disposable income by 2023-24 which “is likely to be the worst for at least a century”.
The figure is equivalent to £3,000 for the typical household, according to the foundation.
“Britain is already experiencing the biggest fall in real pay since 1977, and a tough winter looms as energy bills hit £500 a month,” said Lalitha Try, a researcher at the Resolution Foundation.
“With high inflation likely to stay with us for much of next year, the outlook for living standards is frankly terrifying.
“Typical households are on course to see their real incomes fall by £3,000 over the next two years — the biggest squeeze in at least a century — while three million extra people could fall into absolute poverty.”
Experts have warned of the impact that could have on children whose parents cannot afford to pay for their energy bills, saying cold homes will damage their lungs and brain development.
“There will be excess deaths among some children where families are forced into not being able to heat their homes,” Dr Simon Langton-Hewer, president of the British Paediatric Respiratory Society, told The Guardian.
“It will be dangerous, I’m afraid.”
The boss of Ovo Energy, the UK’s third largest energy supplier, has put forward a plan that would subsidise bills for the poorest households by allowing energy companies to borrow from a government-backed fund.
Under Stephen Fitzpatrick’s plan, everyone would receive some help, but higher earners would see theirs taper off as they used more energy. That is similar to how the tax system works, with a standard allowance and higher rates for bigger earners.
And all households will see £400 knocked off bills in six-monthly instalments starting from October.
But Mr Fitzpatrick said those payments should be made in full before Christmas.
He also said both the higher charges paid by prepayment customers and the standing charge, which customers pay regardless of their use, should be scrapped.
Mr Fitzpatrick said helping low-income families with energy bills “has to be the first order of business” for the new Conservative leader and prime minister.
“If we don't use every available moment over the next 12 weeks to solve this, we are going to see a winter like never before with people going hungry and going cold and the NHS being overwhelmed by the health impacts of the energy crisis,” he told the BBC.
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
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Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
