Rishi Sunak declines to say how many more people could face fuel poverty

Chancellor says rising energy prices mean it's not going to be easy' after consumer expert Martin Lewis gives stark assessment

Rishi Sunak has repeatedly declined to say how many more people could be pushed into fuel poverty by rising energy prices, saying only that people should not be scared.

The chancellor is facing increasing pressure over cost of living issues in the run-up to Wednesday's spring budgetary statement, with particular concerns that a rise in energy bills next month, followed by another in October, will be devastating for household budgets.