Keir Starmer unveils £29bn Labour plan to freeze energy price cap

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( August 15, 2022 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Keir Starmer unveils £29bn Labour plan to freeze energy price cap]( Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer today unveils his plan to freeze the energy price cap, vowing that his party "wouldn't let people pay a penny more" on their gas and electricity bills this winter. Halting price rises in both October and January would save the typical family £1,000 and keep inflation under control during the cost of living crisis, according to Labour. Sir Keir said his "fully-funded" £29bn plan to keep the cap at current levels throughout the winter would partly be covered by expanding the windfall tax imposed on oil and gas giants. "Britain's cost of living crisis is getting worse, leaving people scared about how they'll get through the winter," he said. "This is a national emergency. It needs strong leadership and urgent action." [His announcement comes as a coalition of 70 major charities](signed an open letter to Ms Truss and Mr Sunak calling on them to double the level of support to low-income families in order to avert a "catastrophe" over the winter.   2 / [‘We were afraid things would be bad, but never this’: A year after the fall of Kabul, Afghans face many crises]( Special report: Defence and Security Editor Kim Sengupta speaks to Afghans about how life has changed since the Taliban takeover 3 / [Salman Rushdie off ventilator and his ‘feisty humour remains intact’ after stabbing, says family]( Author’s agent says his 'injuries are severe, but his condition is headed in the right direction' 4 /[Pakistan’s PM pledges urgent action on economy and political challenges]( Exclusive interview: Speaking on the 75th anniversary of his country's independence, Shehbaz Sharif uses foreign powers to engage with the Taliban regime in next-door Afghanistan to ensure stability in the region 5 / [A-level results day: Pupils told to prepare for ‘disappointment’ amid ‘grade inflation’ crackdown]( It’s ‘only fair’ to manage pupils’ expectations to avoid unpleasant ‘shocks’, watchdog says     The Big Question What is a drought and what happens if it is declared? A drought has been declared in parts of England as the country swelters in a second major heatwave in weeks. The National Drought Group met on Friday, bringing together officials from the government, water companies, Met Office and National Farmers Union among others, to discuss what action to take. Here’s the official definition of a drought and what steps the authorities can take to address a chronic absence of precipitation. [For the full story click here >](   Watch/ [Anne Heche: Career highlights of the late Hollywood actor](   NUMBER OF THE DAY £400,000 – Reported cost of Tory leadership contender Rishi Sunak’s [lavish new swimming pool]( as country sizzles in heatwave and cost of living crisis goes unaddressed.   QUOTE OF THE DAY “Yesterday I met with the industry to look at what more we can do with the industry on direct debit, on prepayment metres, all the things that families are worried about, we’re making sure we’re doing the work so on 5 September the new PM can hit the ground running and get those things into place.” – Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi moves to reassure Britons that help is one its way to address the cost of living crisis as soon as the Tory leadership race is wrapped up.       Other stories you might like   [Exclusive: Fears for child asylum seekers going missing from UK hotels at rate of one a week](   [‘Overwhelmed’ food banks unable to cope with unprecedented demand](   [How UK’s broken promises have left Afghans living in terror for a year and counting](       Articles available exclusively to subscribers John Rentoul, The Independent - [What is the record of privatised water companies in England?](   Other newsletters you might like [The Race Report] The Race Report Fortnightly, 7am (UK time) Written by Nadine White [Sign up]( [Inside Politics] Inside Politics Weekdays, 8am (UK time) Written by Matt Mathers [Sign up](   If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.