'Energy price hikes are a hard pill to swallow when providers can cope with price fluctuations'

Ofgem has raised the energy price cap for the second time in less than six months, claiming the hike is reflective of increasing wholesale prices - but that's a hard pill for families to swallow

The last thing families want this winter is to pay even higher fuel bills. Unfortunately, that will happen after Ofgem raised the energy price cap for the second time in less than six months.

The regulator claims the hike reflects rising wholesale prices. This is hard to swallow when oil and gas companies can easily cope with the fluctuation in prices.

In the last year, these companies have reported record profits, with Shell and BP between them making more than £32billion. At a time when so many are living in fuel poverty and so many pensioners have to choose between heating and eating, there is no justification for lifting the price cap.

It also makes it all the more incomprehensible that this government, which promised to ease the cost-of-living crisis, is removing winter fuel payments from millions of OAPs. Many elderly people will only be more anxious following Ofgem’s announcement. The more fuel bills rise, the more Rachel Reeves should reconsider her decision to remove this vital lifeline.

Price of safety

Thankfully, terror alerts at Gatwick Airport and the US embassy yesterday appear to have been false alarms.

While the disruption will have been frustrating, most understand it is better to be safe than sorry. These incidents are a reminder of the need to be vigilant.

The likelihood of a terrorist attack has risen and security experts also warn that Russia could resort to black ops in revenge for the UK’s military support for Ukraine. We have to accept that the task of keeping people safe comes at a price.

Hidden talent

Britain's inventors don’t get the credit they deserve, with many clueless that this country created the hovercraft, cats’ eyes and World Wide Web.
They clearly need to invent a better way of being remembered.