Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s promise to lead a cost of living government hit a snag this morning. Energy regulator Ofgem just announced a 4% rise in the household price cap, pushing bills to £1,723 from October through December. The culprit? Donald Trump’s Strait of Hormuz intervention in Iran.
There’s a silver lining. Burnham’s removal of VAT from domestic electric bills, effective October 1, means the increase could’ve been steeper. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh made the morning broadcast rounds to emphasize this breathing space for households.
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is posting numbers that might surprise Westminster observers. A new Savanta poll for Queen Mary University of London shows Reform’s mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham could reach the 2028 runoff, sitting at 20% support behind Labour’s 33%.
Who’s backing Reform in the capital? Not quite who you’d expect. The party’s strongest London support comes from 45 to 54 year olds at 38%, far outpacing the over 55 crowd at 22%. They’re predominantly male, with men supporting Reform at 24% compared to 17% of women.
The timing couldn’t be more pointed. As Farage’s party gains momentum, questions about their own pension arrangements have surfaced. Reform MPs enrolled in the very defined benefit pension schemes they’ve pledged to abolish for future council workers.
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