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Cornwall Insight forecasts 16% January energy price cap rise as Burnham weighs help

Forecasters predict the energy price cap will rise 16% to £1,999 in January, driven by the US-Iran war. PM Andy Burnham says he is looking at measures to help but stresses limited public finances.

2 outlets · 1L · 0C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: Daily Mirror
Image: Daily Mail

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The story, neutrally told

Consultancy Cornwall Insight forecast that the energy price cap will rise 16% to £1,999 a year for a typical dual-fuel household in January, an increase of £276. It attributes the rise mainly to the US-Iran war, which has disrupted gas supplies and left EU gas storage at its lowest September level in 15 years. Separately, Ofgem's price cap rises 4% on 1 October, even though VAT on domestic energy has been temporarily cut.

Speaking at the Labour conference in Liverpool, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was looking at any measure that could give people breathing space. On BBC Breakfast he said every possible measure was being looked at, but asked how many the government could afford given the public finances. According to the Daily Mail, he did not commit to scrapping a scheduled fuel duty rise or guarantee help at the Budget, which is due on 28 October.

EDF chief executive Simone Rossi warned the UK was walking into a second energy crisis, and the Mirror says he called for the VAT cut on electricity to be extended. Burnham pointed to the 5% VAT cut on electricity until March, though the Mail says the typical £45 saving has already been wiped out. Uswitch urged households to consider fixed deals, saying the cheapest is £355 below the predicted January cap, while noting the exact level is too early to call.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Cost-of-living story led by the forecast and pressure on the Chancellor, with Burnham's openness to help presented as the response.
Emphasis
Household impact, expert and Uswitch quotes, and calls for help including the EDF boss's call to extend the VAT cut.
Leaves out or plays down
Burnham's caveats about affordability and public finances, the fuel duty question and the hint of tax rises are not covered.
Charged language
“surge”“cost of living crisis”
For example
“PM Andy Burnham has hinted at more possible help with energy bills” — Daily Mirror
“Household energy prices look set to go from worse to even worse this winter.” — Daily Mirror

Centre0 outlets

No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Right1 outlet

Framing
Political story about Burnham being held to account after his conference speech, stressing his refusal to commit to relief.
Emphasis
Fuel duty, fiscal constraints, possible Budget tax rises and the VAT saving being wiped out.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not include the Uswitch advice on switching tariffs or Cornwall Insight's comments on possible further support.
Charged language
“brutal reality check”“comes crashing down to Earth”“dodges”
For example
“The PM was given a brutal reality check after his Labour conference 'vision' speech” — Daily Mail
“he refused to commit to scrapping a scheduled increase in fuel duty” — Daily Mail