# Think tank urges £6bn energy support at Budget

> The New Economics Foundation calls for universal energy bill protection to save households up to £290 as price rises loom.
- Title: Think tank urges £6bn energy support at Budget | Shortify
- Summary: The New Economics Foundation calls for universal energy bill protection to save households up to £290 as price rises loom. The New Economics Foundation urges…
- Keywords: john healey, new economics foundation, energy bills, warm home discount, budget, windfall tax, ofgem price cap, politics, news, Think, tank, urges
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/energy-bills-budget-support-iran-ofgem-price-cap-b3073234.html
- Published: 2026-10-26T11:15:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: john healey, new economics foundation, energy bills, warm home discount, budget, windfall tax, ofgem price cap, politics, news
## Think tank calls for £6bn energy package
The New Economics Foundation urges Chancellor John Healey to spend £6bn on energy support at the Budget to protect households from anticipated price rises.
## Government's current plan: expand existing discount
The chancellor is reportedly considering spending £1bn to boost the Warm Home Discount, raising it from £150 to as much as £300 for qualifying households on means-tested benefits.
## NEF proposes universal energy guarantee
The think tank recommends capping essential energy for every household at late two thousand twenty-four prices, cutting electricity costs by twenty-five percent and gas by forty percent from January.
## Potential savings for households
Combined with the expanded Warm Home Discount, the NEF package could save an average £290 for households receiving benefits from January, and £190 for all others.
## How to fund the £6bn package
The NEF says the £6bn cost could be paid for entirely through a windfall tax on banks or a commitment to reform capital gains tax.
## Energy crisis driven by global conflict
Forecasters predict a major rise in January as the US-Iran conflict hits energy costs worldwide. EDF predicts Ofgem's price cap could rise by as much as £442, a twenty-five percent increase.

> millions once again risk being forced to choose between heating and eating early next year
## Key takeaway

The New Economics Foundation urges Chancellor John Healey to spend £6bn on energy support at the Budget to protect all households from anticipated price rises.