Martin Lewis has hailed the government’s plans to scrap the “poll tax on energy”, as the government announced it was abolishing standing charges on gas bills for millions of people.
Chancellor John Healey met with the money expert at No 11 on Wednesday morning as he prepares to unveil a series of cost of living measures in his first Budget today.
Standing charges on gas bills, which cover the cost of delivery to homes and businesses, will be scrapped from 2027 “or as soon as possible after”, the Treasury said on Wednesday morning. The move could reportedly save households between £22 and £50 per year.
But the chancellor is set to make the rest of the Budget a relatively modest affair, as he plans to put off major decisions on tax and spending until next year, reports suggest.
It comes after the chancellor announced he will to add 2p to the price of a pint after unveiling cuts to the cost of supermarket staples including baked beans, gherkins and chocolate.
He also announced the removal of import tariffs on over 100 products, as Andy Burnham pledges to deliver “breathing space” for families and businesses in the first Budget under his leadership.
