Call for Government to back a “Robin Hood Tax” on energy giants to support families with escalating heating bills

Cllr Melvin Caton, leader of the Uttlesford Liberal Democrats, will ask Uttlesford District Council this week to back a "Robin Hood tax" on energy giants to support families with their escalating heating bills and to write to Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Secretary of State for Busimess, Energy & Industrial Strategy urging the Government to introduce the tax.

"The proposed levy could raise over £5 billion nationally and help support families in Uttlesford as their energy bills sky rocket this year. It cannot be right that a few energy firms are making billions from record gas prices while people can't even afford to heat their homes as the cost of living crisis hits hard.

"A one-off Robin Hood tax on gas and oil bosses would provide vital funding to support families in our area who are facing crippling energy price hikes", Cllr Caton said.

"This one-off tax could help twenty-two thousand people in Uttlesford through increases in the Warm Homes Discount, Winter Fuel Allowance and a new home insulation grant scheme for those in fuel poverty, on low incomes and with poorly insulated homes.

"Through these proposed measures the Liberal Democrats are demonstrating their commitment to the less well off in our district and to action on climate change. For years the Conservatives government has ignored these problems and failed to take the bold action we need to reduce fuel poverty. The Government cannot look the other way any longer while families struggle to get by," Cllr Caton added.