Boris Johnson says next PM will 'clearly' have to provide more money for energy bills

Boris Johnson said his successor will "clearly" to provide further direct cash payments to help Britons cope with soaring energy bills in an apparent message to Tory leadership favorite Liz Truss.

Foreign Secretary , heavy favorite to beat Rishi Sunak in the Tory contest, has yet to commit to additional financial payments to ease the pain ahead in October - when annual gas and electricity bills are expected to reach £3,549.

Johnson pressured Truss to commit to additional direct payments by suggesting more money to back him up. was inevitable as he responded to Ofgem's announcement of an 80% increase in the energy price cap,

He said the existing 'pipeline' of money of government support "is now clearly going to be increased, increased, by additional cash which the government will clearly announce in September".

Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi said he could not commit to any further help with energy bills - saying he could only "develop options" for either Truss or Sunak, depending on who becomes PM early next month.

The Chancellor, a Truss supporter, also claimed "help is coming" - saying he would prefer more "targeted" support to the poorest from the next PM.

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Johnson also indicates...