Windfall tax “glaring double standard” makes no sense

Commenting on the government Energy Prices Bill published today, which includes measures to cap the profits of electricity generators, Greenpeace UK’s policy director Dr Doug Parr said:

“Was it just a dream or did we all hear the prime minister say, just weeks ago, she was against a windfall tax? Now she’s going to impose a de facto one after all but only on electricity generators, not a proper one on oil and gas firms. This glaring double standard makes no sense. It’s almost as if Liz Truss’s belief in the free market only applied to big polluters. Of course, it’s right that industries profiting from the energy crisis should give up lots of their extra cash to help people struggling with their bills, but then why is the government refusing to properly tax fossil fuel giants? After all, it’s our dependence on gas that’s driving up prices and bringing misery to millions of households. Bringing in a windfall tax on oil and gas profits could raise enough money to help people with their bills now and fix our draughty homes so we can keep costs down for good. The prime minister has already done half a U-turn on this – she may as well complete it.”