The Leader podcast: How do we fix the energy crisis?

The energy price cap is set to rise to £3,549 on October 1 (Andrew Matthews/PA)
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Ofgem confirmed today the energy price cap will go up in October, from £1,971 a year, to £3,549.

Independent forecasters believe the cap could sky-rocket to nearly £5,400 in January, and longer term predictions suggest it could even hit up to £7,200 in April.

A poll suggests around a third of households are already struggling to pay their energy bills, and the National Union of Students has found a third of those at university are left with just £50 after paying rent and bills.

The price cap rise announcement has led to pleas from the likes of Consumer Champion Martin Lewis, the National Union of Students and even Ofgem themselves for the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak, to provide more financial help to people across the country.

We speak with Tessa Khan, Director of research and advocacy organisation Uplift who explains why prices are so high, and what the government can do to support bill payers across the UK.

Plus we speak with Mike Childs from Friends of The Earth about the feasibility of investing in renewable energy, and the roadblocks preventing more wind and solar farms being built in the UK.

Listen here or here:

You can also find us on your Spotify Daily Drive or wherever you stream your podcasts.

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