Freezing energy bills will not help people who need the most support with the cost of living crisis, according to a government minister.

The boss of Scottish Power revealed on Tuesday that he had asked the government to back a £100bn loan scheme to allow energy companies to freeze bills for two years.

Keith Anderson said the plan was being looked over by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng – who is rumoured to become chancellor if Liz Truss wins the Tory leadership contest – and will also be presented to Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

But Armed Forces minister James Heappey said the “eye-watering” sum would not be the best way through a winter of price hikes.

Politics Hub: Truss promises fiscal event as Sunak warns of ‘destitution’

Speaking to Sky News’ Kay Burley, he said: “I don’t think that a universal freezing of everybody’s energy bill really helps to get taxpayer’s money into the bank accounts of the people who need support the most.”

Instead, he said both Ms Truss and her rival Rishi Sunak had proposed the “better solution” of “more targeted packages” of support to the least well off.

Related posts:

Pressure mounts on govt over ‘slap in the face’ NHS pay rise offer – as ‘large numbers’ of nurses could leave profession PM hails ’emotional’ return of schools – but repeats warning on target dates The road to the end of lockdown has begun – but the real challenge will be what comes next PM: Stop and search ‘kind and loving’ way to get weapons off streets Tamara’s Take: A pre-briefed budget boxes in the opposition Ex-education secretary Gavin Williamson given a knighthood Here are the key companies that have pulled out of Russia this week Tory donor who worked for Kremlin begs PM for Ukraine no-fly zone – and calls Putin ‘insane’ House of Commons to become ‘menopause-friendly workplace’ ‘Urgent’ review of petrol station operators ordered amid surging fuel prices Controversial bill to override elements of Northern Ireland Protocol to be laid before parliament later Rees-Mogg attacks ‘disloyal’ Sunak and says he is ‘of the left’