European governments spend $278 billion to cushion energy crisis

European governments spend $278 billion to cushion energy crisis

European governments have allocated about 280 billion euros ($278 billion) in funding to cushion the impact of the energy crisis on households and businesses.

The funding, calculated by Brussels-based Bruegel think tank, measures fresh allocations since September, and covers everything from subsidizing tariffs for small businesses in Greece to direct payouts to consumers in Belgium. Some of the money hasn’t yet been spent.

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“Prices will stay high throughout the winter and governments should work with the worst-case scenario assumption that they will not go away even after that,” said Giovanni Sgaravatti, an analyst at Bruegel. “Governments should focus on reducing energy demand where possible.”

Wholesale energy prices have soared to more than 10 times their seasonal average over the past five years as Russia squeezes natural gas flows to Europe.

That’s hitting economic output across the continent, with heavy industry under pressure. Consumers are facing a cost-of-living crisis, with household bills in the UK set to triple.

The hit to governments comes as soaring inflation lowers living standards. UK inflation could pass 18 percent in January for the first time in half a century because of rocketing energy prices, Citigroup Inc. said