Truss and Sunak clash on energy costs at penultimate Tory hustings

Truss remained loath to bung money' at those struggling to afford spiralling bills, Sunak said millions may be forced into destitution

Liz Truss has doubled down on her reluctance to bung more money" at those who will struggle to afford spiralling energy costs this winter while Rishi Sunak said millions may be forced into destitution without extra support, as the pair clashed at the penultimate hustings of the Conservative leadership race.

With energy regulator Ofgem expected to raise the price cap to 3,500 a year from October for the average dual-fuel tariff, Truss warned the issue of spiralling fuel costs was not a short-term one. If people think this problem is going to be over in six months they are not right. This is a long term problem," she told the audience in Norfolk.