Talk TV host Dr David Bull calls for green levy to be scrapped
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Dr David Bull, former Member of the EU Parliament turned TalkTV host, claimed energy bills have become “unaffordable” for millions across the UK and it is absurd to then have a green energy levy during such a crisis. Speaking to Rishi Sunak supporter Richard Holden MP, Dr Bull said he backed Ms Truss because she was attempting to cut taxes, something which Mr Sunak has refrained from offering at least in the short term. Mr Holden countered by arguing that the green levy would simply “come out of general taxation”, around £23 a year, and that it would have no effect on energy bills.
Dr Bull said: “Liz Truss has said she would reverse the national insurance rise, which I welcome. I think that is a ridiculous thing to do at this time when people are struggling.
“The corporation tax reduction is good, I think, it would then increase investment.
“Most importantly, our TalkTV viewers want the green levy scrapped. They want cheap energy. They do not understand why their bills are going up to £5000 a year. That is just unaffordable for most people when they will be spending £500 a month on heating. And that is just not sustainable.”
Mr Holden said: “Well, they are going up not because of the green levies but because of the war in Ukraine and to be totally honest Liz has said what she will do is about £23 a year, the amount of green levies on bills, which would come out of general taxation anyway, so people would be paying that through their taxes rather than their energy bills.
It comes as soaring energy costs are pushing cafes, restaurants and shops across the nation to the brink, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned.
FSB director Martin McTague has told The Independent the rising energy bills, coupled with reduced consumer spending as household bills soar, is forcing thousands of small businesses into making “impossible choices”.
“How is an independent cafe supposed to find another £20,000 a year to keep the lights on and the coffee machine going, when they are barely breaking even as it is?” Mr McTague said.
“How can a small manufacturer find another £70,000 to keep the production line going and the staff room heated? With five-figure annual energy cost increases common, too many small firms are being faced with impossible choices.”
Almost 15 percent of small-and-medium sized firms believe they may have to close or downsize as a direct result of the spiralling energy costs, according to a poll by the FSB.
The Government has faced calls to freeze bills or provide more support to households, which could give a much-needed boost to consumer spending.
However, ministers have said no action will be taken until a new Prime Minister is in place at the start of next month.
“We need direct and immediate support from the government,” Mr McTague told the paper.
“Extending energy support issued via the council tax system to the rates system, direct help with bills for those small firms which don’t pay business rates, and cutting VAT on energy consumption will make a real difference in this space.”
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Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak are entering into the final two weeks of Tory hustings as they vy to become the new leader of the Conservative Party and the next Prime Minister.
Ms Truss currently leads the polls with more than 60 percent; it is believed that just over half of the Tory members have already cast their vote, with about a quarter of those left to have their say undecided.
The pair will attend three more hustings during the remainder of August, starting in Birmingham on August 23, before heading to Norwich on August 25 and finally London on the last day of the month.
The successful candidate will be announced on September 5, after all votes have been collected, with the winner being sworn in as Prime Minister the following day.
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