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  "path": "/money/energy-bills-alert-ministers-pledge-support",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-17T18:03:56.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Ed Miliband says pubs should switch off fridges to save on energy bills",
    "Energy bills could jump £250 within months as Labour warned 'immediate' action needed",
    "Energy bills could be cut by £2,500 for pubs and restaurants under Labour scheme",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nEnergy Minister Michael Shanks has said the Government is prepared to offer households whatever support is required as energy bills come under renewed pressure from the conflict in the Middle East.\n\nAppearing before the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, Mr Shanks sought to reassure consumers while acknowledging the impact of geopolitical instability on prices.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n“The Government has said, 'Look, we will fight the corner of consumers,'\" he told MPs.\n\n“We will do everything we can to first of all de‑escalate the situation but secondly to provide support wherever we can.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe said both the Chancellor and the Prime Minister backed this position, adding: “We stand ready to provide whatever support is needed to consumers.”\n\nDespite what he described as “scaremongering stories” in recent weeks, Mr Shanks insisted the UK’s energy supplies remain secure.\n\n“The UK has very strong energy supplies from a diverse range of sources,” he said.\n\nOn gas, he confirmed all three LNG terminals were operating normally following conversations with operators the previous day.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe also said fuel supplies were stable and urged the public to continue normal behaviour, including refuelling vehicles as usual.\n\nUncertainty remains over the future of the energy price cap, which is due to end in June. “Clearly, what happens at the end of that price cap period is still being worked through,” he said.\n\nOfgem is in the early stages of its assessment period, and Mr Shanks stressed it was “far too soon” to predict the outcome.\n\nMore clarity is expected as June approaches.\n\nCommittee chair Bill Esterson raised the possibility of removing policy costs from household bills — charges that currently account for £236 of the price cap.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Ed Miliband says pubs should switch off fridges to save on energy bills\n  * Energy bills could jump £250 within months as Labour warned 'immediate' action needed\n  * Energy bills could be cut by £2,500 for pubs and restaurants under Labour scheme\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Shanks said this was “a huge sum to play with” and confirmed it would be examined. “It’s an avenue that we have to look at very carefully,” he said.\n\nHowever, he warned any changes must balance short‑term relief with long‑term investment.\n\n“At the same time as we want to protect consumers right now, we have to start building a system that protects them permanently and keeps bills low in the future,” he said.\n\nExpanding renewable energy capacity, he added, would reduce reliance on gas and help stabilise prices over time.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Energy bills alert: Labour pledge household support amid Iran war pressure"
}