Letter from London: Leadership lacking as energy crisis looms

The UK is facing a winter of energy price discontent, but the governing Conservative party is focused on its own internal struggle

Surging energy prices are poised to drive a significant portion of UK households into fuel poverty this winter, making retail energy bills a major electoral issue. But a political interregnum is adding to uncertainty over how, if, and when the government may take further action. The UK’s Conservative administration has already committed to supporting households through the Energy Bills Support Scheme, with 29mn households set to receive a £400 ($484) discount to their bills in six instalments from 1 October, plus additional payments for specific demographics such as pensioners. The scheme is being funded through the UK’s windfall tax, called the Energy Profits Levy, on oil and gas companies.