GOVERNMENT support for households in Cheshire West and Chester facing soaring energy bills has been branded 'too little, too late' by the council leader.

New Prime Minister Liz Truss announced a package of measures earlier today that means the average household energy bill will not rise above £2,500 from October.  Bills had been due to rise to £3,549 a year from £1,277 last year. The new support is set to last for two years

Businesses are also getting a support package for six months which the Prime Minister said would provide 'equivalent support' . After six-months further support would be targeted at 'vulnerable industries', she told MPs.

Speaking in the Commons earlier today, the Prime Minister said: "This is the moment to be bold. We are facing a global energy crisis and there are no cost-free options.”

The cost of funding the measures will be added to the national debt, rather than be paid for by imposing a windfall tax on energy companies profits - which Labour had called for. 

Labour Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: "The announcement from Liz Truss is too little, too late.

"Households are struggling already, freezing prices at a higher amount will push more into hardship. Worst of all, this inadequate support will be paid for by hard-working people rather than the companies who are making exploitative profits."

Cllr Gittins also hit out at the Conservative leadership contest which she said meant there had been 'no functioning government' at a 'critical time'.

She added: "The Tories have offered the country a rushed plan that sides with the energy companies. This plan doesn't meet the short-term or long-term needs of Cheshire West households and businesses."

In addition to the new support, the temporary ban on shale gas fracking has also been lifted. It means  companies can now apply for planning permission where there is local support.

She also announced that a new energy supply taskforce – led by Madelaine McTernan who headed up the UK’s vaccine taskforce – had begun negotiations with domestic and international suppliers to agree long-term contracts that reduce the price they charge for energy and increase the security of supply.