PMQs: Sunak hits back at Blackford's energy plan criticism
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Rishi Sunak delivered a devastating attack on Ian Blackford, rebuking his call for a windfall tax that he said would only have a negative effect on the energy bills of the British people ahead of winter. After the SNP’s Westminster leader demanded a windfall tax on energy companies, the Prime Minister said: “Mr Speaker, the Right Honourable gentleman raised the issue of North Sea. And this is a point of significant difference between his party and ours.
“As Chancellor, I introduced the new levy on oil and gas companies because I believed this was the right thing to do.”
Mr Sunak added: “But where we will always differ is we believe that our North Sea producers do have an important role to play in our transition to net-zero.
“There an important source of transition fuels, and we will make sure that we support them to invest in exploiting those resources for the British people.”
The SNP has repeatedly called on the Conservative Government to impose a windfall tax on energy companies. The SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon claimed Scottish industry is footing the bill for the UK Government’s response to spiralling energy costs across the UK.
Rishi Sunak is reportedly drawing up plans to expand the windfall tax on energy giants in an attempt to raise billions to help balance the books, The Telegraph reported.
When asked about a possible expansion of the windfall tax, a spokesman for the Prime Minister said: “No options are off the table given the economic circumstances.”
MORE TO FOLLOW…
Source: Read Full Article