Chris Mason: Reeves' summer savings drive won't stretch to energy bills

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Chris Mason: Reeves' summer savings drive won't stretch to energy bills17 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleChris MasonPolitical editorPA MediaIt sounds rather like the slogan from one of those breathless adverts for discounted sofas. The government is branding the announcements from the chancellor this week as the "Great British Summer Savings". Rachel Reeves wants to try to get across that she gets it: that for all the political noise and argument, the cost of living remains the number one issue for millions of families.

Ministers are attempting to crack on, in fact revelling in cracking on, with what they think they are there to do, delivering policies and, they hope, helping people, rather than tearing themselves apart. The prime minister makes his big picture pitch on the economy in The Times today. He talks with pride about leading an "active and interventionist" government and points to the new trade deal with six Gulf economies the government has signed.

The Details

Senior figures also point to better big picture economic news, drowned out in the recent political maelstrom: the economy growing faster than expected in recent months and inflation falling faster than expected. The retail pitch, if you like, the policy ideas ministers hope you will notice, are coming from the chancellor: the news about fuel duty, the plan to ensure there is enough jet fuel for summer holidays and free bus travel for children in England in August. What we are not expecting today is a big intervention to help with energy bills.

The rationale is that we are heading into the summer when these bills are lower and instead the focus is on contingency planning for the winter. There is also a strong conviction in government that the universal packages of help offered by the Conservatives in government, such as Liz Truss's energy bill cap, would be unaffordable to repeat this winter. Offering something similar would be irresponsible, the government believes, given the impact the Conservative schemes had on the public finances.

"A massive untargeted bung would cost people in different ways," is how one government figure put it. So any help to come for the winter will be targeted. What we don't know yet is who will be targeted and with what level of support.

What Experts Say

"Who knows where we will be in October" is a mantra you hear from folk in government. It is an imponderable – not just in terms of the international picture and whether fuel is by then flowing freely through the Strait of Hormuz. But in terms of the domestic picture too.

Not least, who might be Chancellor of the Exchequer by then. Fuel duty freeze extended until the end of the yearChildren in England to be offered free bus trips this August Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.