MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis received a CBE at Windsor Castle earlier today, warning that an energy crisis could be "potentially more dangerous to lives than the pandemic".
Speaking to Prince Charles, following the ceremony, Mr Lewis outlined how he would write a briefing note to the Prince of Wales on the crippling energy crisis.
The broadcaster said he felt inclined to "raise the alarm" because the country would be destined for "cataclysmic" problems in the winter if the situation continued unnoticed.
Speaking at Windsor, he added: “I would be far happier to have come and got my honour and have a nice fun day and not be talking about this because the world is wonderful, but the world isn’t wonderful right now. And I think this is potentially more dangerous to lives than the pandemic.
Martin Lewis with his CBE
Andrew Matthews
“It is a cataclysmic problem that is going to face the country this winter.
“I am without embarrassment, deliberately, provocatively, raising an alarm right now. And I will do that with everyone. And when you get the ear of the Prince of Wales for a moment like that, it seemed the right time to take advantage.”
Slamming MPs who are running for the role of Conservative Leader, Mr Lewis said the "deafening silence" on tackling the energy crisis from Tories was concerning.
Commenting on the current debate around tax, the finance expert acklowdeged the importance of taxes to the Conservatives, but said "energy is not a totem, energy is the core of the real problem people will face".
The Prince of Wales spoke with Mr Lewis regarding the energy crisis
Dominic Lipinski
He maintained his dissatisfaction with the current government, on their handling of the devastating cost of living crisis, saying: "What are you going to do to help people with the catastrophe that is coming that, unless it is dealt with properly, will see people starve and freeze?"
Acknowledging the provisions that have been implemented thus far, including the £1,200 support which almost eight million of the most vulnerable households will receive this year, Mr Lewis said these "help" but probed the Conservative's saying "what are you going to do about energy bills?"
Maintaining his opposition to the tax hikes, he said: “Tax does not help everyone. It doesn’t help those on the state pension, it doesn’t help those on universal credit. I’ll leave others to look at the inflation issue.
“So absolutely, for me, this should be front and centre of the agenda. And what I’m hearing at the moment is a deafening silence.”
When probed on whether he remains motivated to continue lobbying the Government over the cost of living, he replied: “If you had the number of desperate people telling you their stories every day, and you knew you had a voice that could be magnified because of the work I’ve done.
“I think I would be abrogating my responsibility if I didn’t use that voice at the moment."
Outlining his fatigue regarding the issue, he noted he would be taking a break in the summer, but said he felt "duty bound" to continue his mission on raising awareness regarding the energy crisis.
Concluding he said: "When you see a ship about to go into an iceberg, you don’t go ‘phew’, you ring the bloody alarm bell, and I’m ringing the alarm bell right now.”