"What's the point?" asks Sussex tenant following third round of energy crisis talks
Ellie from Worthing is about to move into her own flat for the first time and says rising energy bills scare her
Last updated 6th Jan 2022
A third round of talks have been held between the Business Secretary and energy suppliers, to try and soften the blow of a forecast 50% rise in household energy bills.
The talks come after Boris Johnson rejected calls to slash the VAT on fuel earlier this week, describing it as a "blunt instrument" that would favour those who don't need the help.
The Prime Minister instead insisted they would find another way to ease rising energy costs.
Ellie from Worthing is self-employed and about to move into her own flat. She says the rising cost of living makes her question her decision.
She said: "I have lived in shared houses for about six years now, the first few were student houses. I don't get sick pay, so for whatever reason I can't work and I'm slipping behind on important things like rent and bills.
"It is really nerving to see the gap widening in what we're getting paid, and what we are paying. Part of you just thinks what's the point?"
"I'm sure that if prices keep going up everywhere, there's going to be generations of people in 10 or 20 years time that won't even have the opportunity to consider making that jump."
The rise follows a huge spike in wholesale gas prices leaving regulator Ofgem with no choice but to increase the price cap.
The new cap will be announced on the 7th of February and come into force April 1st.