THE English seaside resort of Morecambe welcomed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak following a funding announcement on Thursday, but a request from one resident for help with his heating bill went unanswered.
Sunak was joined by Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove for a walk around the seafront in the Lancashire town to see the proposed site of the Eden Project North, after announcing £50 million of funding for the project from the Government’s levelling up fund.
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He praised the “huge buzz” in the town after meeting those involved with the project and students.
It was unclear if he heard one passer-by who shouted: “Lend us 20 quid for my heating bill, Rishi.”
Sunak was shown plans for the attraction, which will include a Tidal Gardens where music events for up to 6000 people will be held, before answering questions from people from local organisations in a question and answer session.
Bring me Sunshine..
— Richard Frediani (@BBCFrediani) January 19, 2023
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove and Morecambe MP David Morris pose with the Eric Morecambe statue
pic.twitter.com/WY3WJL9VVP
The exchange came after news emerged that energy bills could be hundreds of pounds lower than previously thought in the latter half of this year, but only after a spike in the spring.
The average household’s energy bill might hit around £2200 a year from July, around £300 less than previously thought, experts at Cornwall Insight said.
It is around the same as an average family pays today after the Government support has been factored in.
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Without backing from the Government the average household would pay £4279 per year for their energy bills between January and April – the level of the Ofgem price cap.
From April the Government's support gets less generous and will only reduce average bills to £3000.
While wholesale gas is cheaper than it has been for over a year at around 150p per therm, this is still around three times higher than at the beginning of 2021.
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