BORIS Johnson faces fresh pressure to avert a “looming winter of discontent” as a poll shows a majority of Tory voters fear a gruelling few months.
Seven in 10 Conservative supporters are worried about rocketing bills and are preparing to tighten their belts, according to a survey by Savanta Comres seen by the Sun.
The PM has been warned that a perfect storm of soaring gas prices and the £20-a-week cut to Universal Credit will hit the wallets of Brits during the chilly season.
More than 1.5million customers face hiked energy bills after their provider went bust and forced them to switch to another with potentially higher tariffs.
A shortage of truck drivers is also choking the fuel supply and causing chaos at petrol pumps.
The Savanta Comres poll commissioned by the Lib Dems shows 68 per cent of Brits were worried about the cost of living this winter.
The figure rises among Tory voters, 69 per cent of whom are anxious about getting by.
Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine said: “Everyone should be able to afford the essentials, and we are committed to ensuring that is the case.
“Everyone should be able to afford the essentials, and we are committed to ensuring that is the case.
“If Boris Johnson does not act now, a winter of discontent looms.”
COST OF LIVING
That nerves are jangling within Mr Johnson’s support base ahead of the party’s conference in Manchester this weekend will likely spur the PM to ramp up efforts to solve the crisis.
The poll came before the Government today unveiled a £500m package to help the poorest families this winter.
Ministers announced the Household Support Fund will run through the colder months and be available in all four nations.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Everyone should be able to afford the essentials, and we are committed to ensuring that is the case.
“Our new Household Support Fund will provide a lifeline for those at risk of struggling to keep up with their bills over the winter, adding to the support the government is already providing to help people with the cost of living.”
