MPs criticised for rejecting windfall tax on energy companies to ease cost of living crisis
By Davina Hyde
Conservative MPs have been criticised for voting against bringing in a one-off ‘windfall tax’ on energy companies to help people cope with the cost of living crisis.
Inflation has soared to nine per cent but Conservative MPs, including Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond, voted against the motion in the House of Commons.
Attempts to help hard up families deal with the cost of living crisis failed despite 248 MPs voting in favour of the one-off tax on the record profits of multinational oil firms. MPs rejected the move by 310 votes to 248.
Cllr Paul Kohler, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Wimbledon, has criticised Mr Hammond for backing tax rises and failing to help people with the cost of living crisis.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey MP added: “The oil companies are raking in billions off the backs of families and pensioners.
“The country is crying out for a windfall tax and can’t understand why Ministers won’t budge.
“With a winter of discontent looming on the horizon, this cost of living crisis is only going to get worse, and the public will never forgive Ministers for refusing to save them.”
Mr Hammond has not responded to requests for a comment.
Pictured top: Stephen Hammond MP (Picture: Cropped/Wikimedia Commons/