GPs could write prescriptions for energy bill money for the most vulnerable under a plan drawn up by the Treasury, as Liz Truss’ team signaled more help with costs now expected to exceed £6,000 next year.
The unusual proposal would mean people could see their doctor to assess whether they are struggling enough to need help with their bills.
The idea, first reported in the Sun on Sunday, was dismissed by shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, saying the Tories have “lost the plot on the cost of living crisis and have no idea of the level of pressure on the NHS.” . Over-the-top doctors would probably balk.
It comes as the latest forecasts from energy consultants Auxilione suggest energy prices could top £6,000 a year for the average household next year. Ofgem, the regulator, is expected to raise the price cap from £1,971 to £3,576 this week.
Truss, the favorite to enter No 10 next month, hinted in an interview with the Sun on Sunday that she was prepared to support people with high bills, having previously said she was not in favor of handouts. He said all governments “must look at making sure that life is affordable for people” and that he was looking for help “at all levels”, including businesses.
In comments suggesting she may give targeted support to the lowest paid and tax cuts for others, the foreign secretary said she would not “get the delivery first” before looking at the causes of skyrocketing energy bills. She said: “What I’m really opposed to is taking tax money out of people and then giving the money back to them in benefits. That doesn’t make sense to me.
“That’s why I support keeping taxes low, getting the economy going, growing our economy, dealing with supply issues.”
He added: “Now of course in the budget every government has to look at making sure that life is affordable for people. But what’s wrong is to get to the handout first before you’ve tackled the root cause of ‘a problem’.
On small businesses, many of which are seeing energy prices rise exponentially, he said: “I’m very, very aware that it’s not just customers or consumers who are facing energy price issues , but small businesses”.
He also downplayed the prospect of a recession, despite the economy contracting 0.6% in the last quarter.
“There’s too much talk that there’s going to be a recession,” he said. “I don’t think this is inevitable. We can unlock opportunities here in Britain.”
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Kwasi Kwarteng, his most likely choice for 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 around £10bn in aid to offset the rising cost of gas and electricity.
The Treasury did not deny there had been discussions about the role of GPs in deciding whether people should get help with their energy bills.
A government spokesman said: “We know that rising prices are causing significant challenges for families, which is why we have continuously taken action to help households by phasing in £37 billion across the year, which includes targeted support to help people through the tough winter ahead…
“We are making the necessary preparations to ensure that a new government has options to provide additional support as soon as possible.”