PMQs: Keir Starmer piles pressure on Boris Johnson to force Rishi Sunak into U-turn as UK energy bills soar

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has pressured Boris Johnson to boost support for people in the UK as the cost-of-living crisis begins to bite.

Sir Keir told Mr Johnson that Rishi Sunak's plan to "force a £200 loan for every household" was a big gamble that energy prices would fall after a short spike, and the "bet" made by a government that looked "certain to fail".

Mr Johnson said the Chancellor's plan to help families with energy costs were an "unprecedented measure", and in the coming days the Government would "undo some of the damage" the Prime Minister said had been caused by decisions taken by the previous Labour government no to invest in nuclear power.

The Prime Minister told the House of Commons his Government would continue to give people support through "this difficult period... as we did throughout the coronavirus epidemic".

Sir Keir accused oil companies of making bumper profits even before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, telling MPs: "Shell made £14billion, in their own words more money than they know what to do with", before asking when Mr Johnson would admit "he's got this badly wrong" following the skyrocketing of oil prices which would lead to "even higher profits".

Mr Johnson countered by saying such companies were doing the responsible thing by "divesting from dependence on Russian oil and gas", which he said was the way forward for the UK.

"It is to take a sober responsible approach to end our dependence on hydrocarbons altogether, and particularly Russian hydrocarbons", Mr Johnson added.

Sir Keir accused Mr Johnson of protecting energy profits before working people, saying Britain "can't afford another crisis like this", demanding the Prime Minister relaxed planning laws and blocks on onshore wind, and stopping support for policies "that make us so dependent on foreign gas".

Mr Johnson welcomed Sir Keir's calls for investment in nuclear power: "This may be news to some of his party that he just committed to supporting more nuclear power", before adding" "There is more joy in heaven, over one sinner that repenteth."

Sir Keir said Mr Johnson "can't get a single brick laid" of a nuclear plant, adding that "energy security isn't just about supply".

It comes as experts warned of the impact new sanctions on Russian oil as gas imports could have on household bills in the UK.

Petrol and Diesel prices have recently hit a new record high. Figures from data firm Experian Catalist show the average cost of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts on Tuesday was 158.2p, up from 156.4p on Monday. The average cost of a litre of diesel reached a new high of 165.2p on Tuesday, up from 162.3p on Monday.

Yesterday, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the UK is set to phase out the import of Russian oil by the end of 2022, in a move that was matched by US President Joe Biden.

Ministers are also said to be considering steps to rethink the Government’s approach to fracking, as substitute fuel sources are lined up following Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.

Amid concerns over soaring energy costs, it was understood two Cuadrilla sites in Lancashire may be handed over to the Royal Geographical Society rather than being concreted over.

Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, has been under a “moratorium” for over two years but the move could allow for the sites to be opened at a future date.

Shoppers could be hit by a rise in food prices in the coming days if Russian gas is cut off from Europe, an expert has warned.

Analyst Dr Aura Sabadus, who works for ICIS, a global energy and petrochemicals news and data provider, told a briefing in central London that in the first three months of 2022 gas prices increased 6.5% from the long term average.

She said the next few days are “critical” because if Russia curtails the supply of gas to Europe it will be a “big problem” for consumers.