May 26, 2022 4.00 pm This story is over 22 months old

Lincolnshire Conservatives welcome windfall tax days after voting against it

Households will get a £400 discount on energy bills
Lincolnshire County Council leader Martin Hill

The leader of Lincolnshire County Council has welcomed the government’s announcement of a windfall tax, despite voting against calls for it last week.

Councillor Martin Hill says he didn’t doubt that “the government would find the right approach to help families.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled plans to give every household a £400 discount on energy bill, with the poorest also getting £650 to help with the cost of living.

It will partly be paid for with a windfall tax on soaring oil and gas companies’ profits.

Lincolnshire opposition parties had called for the government to take this measure at the council’s AGM last week, but Conservatives voted the motion down, saying the government should be free to decide how to respond.

Councillor Martin Hill today said: “These are extraordinary times, with the pandemic and war in Ukraine causing soaring prices. Prior to today’s announcement, the government had already prepared a range of support worth £22bn, including a council tax rebate and an extension of the Household Support Fund.

“However, the government had made it clear that they planned to do more to help struggling families, and today they have delivered on that promise. This is an extremely generous package of additional measures, with all households benefiting from hundreds of pounds worth of extra support.

“We weren’t against a windfall tax – we were confident that the government would find the right approach to help families. That’s why we rejected the motion before council on Friday, which was more about political point scoring than a genuine attempt to support those in need.

“In contrast, the government has clearly given these proposals serious and careful consideration, and we are fully supportive of the measures, which we are sure will make a real difference to families across the country.”

It is hoped that the government’s efforts will help people affected by the cost of living crisis, which is seeing energy bills soar.