– New polling finds 71% of those asked supported a windfall tax on oil and gas companies.
Almost 8 in 10 (78%) people blame oil and gas companies for rising energy prices, according to a new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats.
More people blame oil and gas companies for price rises compared to the Government (69%), household energy providers (65%) and OFGEM (58%).
The polling also shows approaching three in four (71%) support a tax on profits of oil and gas companies to increase support for households struggling to afford rising prices. This support for a tax on oil and gas company profits rises amongst those who voted Conservative at the last election (75%).
Liberal Democrat Leader and former Energy Secretary Ed Davey was the first politician to call for a one off tax on the super-profits of oil and gas firms which would raise an estimated £5 billion. The tax would be used to support vulnerable families facing a crippling 50% increase to their energy bills.
Last week it emerged that Russian energy giant Gazprom’s trading arm, based in London, has cashed in a £179 million dividend.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey MP, said: “How on earth do oil and gas companies expect the public to stomach this shameless profiteering off rising prices?
“It is completely unacceptable for these companies to rake in billions of pounds whilst people struggle with skyrocketing energy bills.
“The Government needs to get a grip on this. Every day sees thousands more energy bills arrive through letter boxes, each time bringing real despair and anguish on households struggling to make ends meet.
“We need action now to stop people being left with the devastating choice of heating or eating. We need a substantial package of support now that provides immediate support to those struggling to get by and an ambitious roll-out of home insulation”.