By BBC News
Staff
Image caption, News that the energy price cap will rise 80% to £3,549 from October dominates Saturday’s papers. The Financial Times says whoever becomes the next prime minister will face a spiralling cost of living crisis that could plunge millions of households into poverty.
Image caption, The Times says the worst is yet to come, with forecasts suggesting the cap could rise as high as £7,000 by April, and reports that Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has become the first senior minister to suggest households should cut their energy use. It also says inflation could remain high until September next year and that the Bank of England will face pressure to further increase interest rates.
Image caption, The price rises will cause avoidable deaths unless the government intervenes, reports the Guardian. The paper carries warnings from charities that single parents will be spending almost two thirds of their income after housing costs on energy, while the poorest single adults will see their finances “wiped out”. It says that inaction by ministers highlights “a power vacuum at the heart of government”.
Image caption, The front page of the Daily Mirror delivers a message to the government: “Our whole country is facing an energy bills catastrophe. For heaven’s sake do something.”
Image caption, Liz Truss is set to reverse a commitment that there will be “no handouts” if she become prime minister by pledging to give pensioners an extra winter fuel payment, reports the i.
Image caption, The Daily Mail leads on warnings that six million families could see their savings wiped out by the “unprecedented” hikes, adding that “a second raid on family budgets is expected before Christmas”.
Image caption, Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has told the Daily Telegraph that even middle earners on salaries of £45,000 will need help from the government to pay their energy bills. Speaking in an interview, Mr Zahawi said the options being drawn up for the next prime minister include a price cap freeze, an increase in benefits, and a loan scheme for energy suppliers.
Image caption, The Daily Express leads with a pledge by Boris Johnson that more support to help with bills is on the way. The paper quotes the outgoing prime minister saying: “We could see this coming, that’s why we put the steps in place that we have. You shouldn’t forget the pipeline of cash stretching throughout the autumn.”
Image caption, Stacey Giggs, ex-wife Ryan Giggs, watched as a group of masked men stole her £80,000 Range Rover Sport in the early hours of Friday morning, the Sun reports.
Image caption, And the Daily Star reports that former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne believes his home is haunted by ghosts. The paper says the claims have “absolutely nothing to do with his boozy rock ‘n’ roll past. No, sir…”