PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has pledged a “big bazooka of support” to the people of the North East to combat the cost of living crisis – which has seen some in the region having to choose between heating and eating.

Mr Johnson, who paid a visit to the Cityfibre’s DTN Training Academy in Stockton-on-Tees on Friday (May 27), talked up the government’s cost of living plan that was unveiled earlier this week, and included every UK household receiving £400 and the most vulnerable eight million homes getting £1200 in October 2022.

During the Prime Minister’s North East visit, the UK’s leader was challenged about whether the raft of measures are strong enough, after some branded the £400 energy rebate “a drop in the ocean” and “papering over the cracks”.

Read more: Boris Johnson: Prime Minister visits Stockton on North East tour

However, speaking to The Northern Echo, Mr Johnson cited the “big bazooka of support” would be enough to support homeowners in the North East and the wider UK.

He said: “It’s £1200 for eight million households, £400 for every household, £300 extra for elderly, more for people with disability. It’s a big bazooka of support – I hope it can get us through the period of pressure on higher energy costs, which is a global crisis. As they come down, we will start to see people’s incomes recovering.”

Within the questioning, Mr Johnson was also challenged on referrals at nearby Thornaby Food Bank tripling over the last 18 months and what would happen if the cost of living continued for longer than expected – to which he replied, “we can’t fix every problem”.

The Northern Echo: Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Therese Coffey, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, meet workers in Stockton-on-Tees. Picture: NUMBER10. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Therese Coffey, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, meet workers in Stockton-on-Tees. Picture: NUMBER10.

“I should say that the problem will go on for a while, we do have a big surge in energy costs, this is a considerable sum to help people,” he added.

“These measures will help across the country. When you talk about support for families that go to food banks, we’re putting £500m to support fund to help those that need help with their outgoings.

“We will get through this – it’s the economic backwash of covid and the aftershock. huge seismic pandemic has long term ripples, deal with this as we deal with Covid.

“We can’t fix every problem; no government can pledge to cover every cost or increase in cost.”

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