Labour have slammed the Conservatives for a decade of dither, delay and poor planning on Britain’s energy sector – as well as calling for a windfall tax on North Sea Oil and Gas to stop energy bills rising over the next year.

In a House of Commons vote on Tuesday 11^th January 2022 Labour called on the UK Conservative Government to take urgent action that would support families in Brecon and Radnorshire by cutting VAT on household energy bills.

Brecon and Radnorshire’s Conservative MP backed Boris Johnson and voted against Labour’s fully costed support package.

Labour have pointed to the Government’s failure to meet the vast potential of British renewable and nuclear energy, failure to make more homes warm and well-insulated, and failure to properly regulate our energy market, leading to dozens of energy companies going bust. The result is rapidly rising prices and an energy crisis hitting millions.

In contrast, the Welsh Labour Government has put in place a £50 million package to address pressures on living costs which includes a £38 million winter fuel support scheme for low income households. The Welsh Government scheme will give eligible households a one off payment of £100 towards energy costs this winter.

Cllr Matthew Dorrance said:

 

“To address the immediate crisis, Labour would bring in fully-funded measures now to reduce the expected price rise in April – saving most households around £200 or more, but targeted extra support to the squeezed middle, pensioners and the lowest earners, receiving up to £600 off bills and preventing all of the increase in energy bills currently expected.

 

“Labour would pay for this with a one-off windfall tax on North Sea Oil and Gas producers who have profited from price rises.”

Highlighting how crucial it is to keep energy bills lower in future, Labour would make long term changes so that hard-working people are better off:

-Reduce Britain’s reliance on imported gas by accelerating home-grown renewables and new nuclear.

-Make sure 19 million homes are warm and well-insulated, saving households an average of £400 a year on bills.

-Regulate the market better, with a pledge to never again let energy companies play fast and loose with the rules.