12 problems in the fine print of Liz Truss' plan to cap your energy bills this winter

Liz Truss has unveiled a multi-billion pound energy support package to freeze household bills at £2,500 a year until 2024.

In a statement to MPs, the new Prime Minister announced an 'energy price guarantee' for all households, limiting the amount suppliers can charge per unit of gas.

Businesses and other non-domestic users such as schools and hospitals, which are not covered by the existing price cap, will benefit from a similar six-month program.

After that, there will be continued support for the most vulnerable industries, with a review in three months to decide where help should be targeted.

Ms Truss' plan is likely to cost £150billion, but she said 'extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures'.

However, the announcement drew criticism for not being targeted enough, as hardened families still face a very difficult winter.

Here are all the details hidden in the fine print.

Liz Truss introduced her new energy bill relief program to the Commons (

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Getty Images) It's not really a £2,500 cap on all bills

This is not a hard cap of £2,500 on all bills; this is a cap on the average bill.

This is because suppliers will have the amount they can charge you per unit of electricity or gas set by the government.

If you use more power, you always pay more money - it's just cheaper per unit than it otherwise would have been.

This means that you are in a detached, old or inefficient house, you will probably have to pay more than £2,500 over the course of the year.

You'll have to scramble for more cash next winter

Earlier this year, former Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced £400 in aid for every household in the country to help ease the cost of living crisis.

The support still stands and will be removed from the £2,500 figure unveiled by the Prime Minister, bringing the average bill this year to around £2,100.

But the government hasn't committed to renewing the support next year, meaning consumers are likely to have to find an extra £400 for next year's bills.

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