Commenting on the measures announced today (Thursday) by the Chancellor aimed at cushioning consumers from soaring energy costs, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“This support package is totally inadequate. It does nothing to ease the misery of families buffeted by price hikes in every direction.
“The Chancellor has been less than generous. Governments elsewhere have been quicker to act and more supportive of struggling households.
“This is a gamble that almost certainly won’t pay off. The government’s banking on high energy prices being temporary. But it’s likely consumers will be paying back their £200 loans when energy bills are still sky-high.
“More must be done to tackle the deep-seated problems affecting energy supply in the UK. A credit on bills to help homes become more energy efficient would cut costs for everyone and lower emissions too.”
Meanwhile, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has said it’s clearer than ever whose side the government are on.
The Conservatives had a choice.
Today Shell announced profits of $20bn.
Labour's plan would impose a one-off windfall tax on those excess profits.
But this Chancellor would rather load the costs onto working people and pensioners.
That tells us everything we need to know. pic.twitter.com/6IqhvkFCxn
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) February 3, 2022
Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome has been speaking in the House of Commons about the need to bring the energy sector back into public hands.
The Tories have taken £1.5 million in donations from the energy industry since Boris Johnson became PM.
This government won't implement a windfall tax to keep bills down because it's in the pocket of fossil fuel giants.#energycrisis pic.twitter.com/HOonOKWxzP
— Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) February 3, 2022