MPs pressed Rachel Reeves on whether her policies are easing pressure on household budgets, with John Lamont arguing taxes and energy bills are still rising and Josh Newbury asking what more is being done to help families. Reeves pointed to lower inflation, a £150 cut to energy bills in last year’s Budget, a new summer package reducing VAT on activities, £3 billion for local buses, and free bus travel for children this summer, while saying the Government would keep the triple lock and aim to lift children out of poverty.

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Peers backed regulations extending the period Northern Ireland can use powers under the Energy Prices Act 2022 from 26 months to six years, so the Executive can develop its own energy policy and remove energy obligation costs from bills. Support was broad, but members pressed the Government on when the Northern Ireland scheme will be finalised, how it will tackle heating oil dependence and high fuel prices, and why the change is being made retrospectively from 3 April.