Healey criticised for failing to target energy bill aid at poorest households

The Guardian reported that John Healey has been accused of a “complete failure” to direct energy‑bill support to the households that need it most. The criticism centres on data from the Resolution Foundation showing the poorest half of households will gain £158 on average from cost‑of‑living support this year and next, just £14 more than the £144 received by the richest half.

The analysis by the Resolution Foundation highlighted the narrow gap between the two groups, suggesting the assistance does not sufficiently prioritise the most vulnerable. The Guardian noted that the figures underscore a lack of targeting in the government's relief measures.

Long‑term public‑spending plans were also described as pointing to a return to austerity. The newspaper said tight spending plans beyond 2028‑29 imply departmental budgets will take more of the strain in the future. It added that if the 3% defence target is met and real health spending continues to grow at 2.6%, projected spending totals would leave funding for 13 “unprotected” departments at just 4.7% of GDP by 2031‑32, close to a post‑austerity historic low.

Opposition parties have struggled to find substantive points of attack on Healey’s modest tax and spending announcements. The Guardian said they have turned to criticizing what Healey did not do, such as cutting welfare or joining the EU’s single market. Healey gave interviews to the main broadcasters, recorded the previous night, but the outlet reported that they contained no sensational new revelations. One of the headline points was Healey’s statement that he would cut welfare spending before the election.

The newspaper also warned that households are set to become poorer over the course of the parliament. It said median real annual disposable incomes for working‑age households are projected to rise by only £600 during the parliamentary term, a gain that the report described as “paltry”. The Guardian noted that those modest gains are already behind the current point in time.

Why it matters

The report shows that the government's energy‑bill relief may not be reaching the most needy, while long‑term spending plans could deepen fiscal pressure on public services.

Key details

Location

United Kingdom · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

29 Oct 2026, 14:06 IST

Key names

UK, Resolution Foundation, John Healey

Section

Politics

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianHealey accused of a ‘complete failure’ to target energy bill support at those most in need – UK politics live 29 Oct, 14:06

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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