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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| MPs call for energy windfall tax | MPs call for energy windfall tax |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| More than 80 Labour MPs have signed a petition calling for a one-off windfall tax to be imposed on energy firms who have recently recorded huge profits. | More than 80 Labour MPs have signed a petition calling for a one-off windfall tax to be imposed on energy firms who have recently recorded huge profits. |
| The MPs, including several ministerial aides, want the government to use the money generated to help poorer families who are struggling to pay their bills. | The MPs, including several ministerial aides, want the government to use the money generated to help poorer families who are struggling to pay their bills. |
| Pressure group Compass, which organised the petition, said it expected more MPs to sign after the summer recess. | Pressure group Compass, which organised the petition, said it expected more MPs to sign after the summer recess. |
| The government says it is "looking at" all options to tackle the issue. | The government says it is "looking at" all options to tackle the issue. |
| 'Big three' | 'Big three' |
| While a windfall tax has not been ruled out, it is understood the prime minister is looking at an alternative levy on carbon emissions. | While a windfall tax has not been ruled out, it is understood the prime minister is looking at an alternative levy on carbon emissions. |
| Earlier this month, Business Secretary John Hutton said the Chancellor Alistair Darling had some "very difficult calls" to make. | |
| But he said the UK must be wary of any "fiscal" or "regulatory" changes to the energy sector that could prompt investors to go elsewhere. | But he said the UK must be wary of any "fiscal" or "regulatory" changes to the energy sector that could prompt investors to go elsewhere. |
| The "big three" energy firms - Shell, BP and British Gas - have recently posted substantial profits. | The "big three" energy firms - Shell, BP and British Gas - have recently posted substantial profits. |
| Shell made £4bn in the second quarter of this year, up 4.6% from 2007, while BP made £3.4bn, a rise of 6%. | Shell made £4bn in the second quarter of this year, up 4.6% from 2007, while BP made £3.4bn, a rise of 6%. |
| Centrica, which owns British Gas, made £992m in the first half of this year, while raising prices for customers by 35%. | Centrica, which owns British Gas, made £992m in the first half of this year, while raising prices for customers by 35%. |
| The government imposed a windfall tax on the profits of recently privatised utility companies in 1997. | The government imposed a windfall tax on the profits of recently privatised utility companies in 1997. |
| On Sunday, a YouGov poll for The Observer newspaper of just over 2,000 people found that 67% supported a windfall tax. | On Sunday, a YouGov poll for The Observer newspaper of just over 2,000 people found that 67% supported a windfall tax. |