ENERGY BILLS, FUEL POVERTY AND VAT WINDFALL

That this House is concerned that fuel poverty is widening and deepening as a consequence of rapidly rising energy prices; notes that people are paying more VAT in their increasing energy bills; calls on the Treasury to use these increased VAT receipts, along with other resources, to support low-income households in coping with the inordinate burden of rampant energy costs; further calls on relevant Ministers to bring forward proposals to extend previous and existing programmes to alleviate fuel poverty; and urges the Government to engage with devolved administrations, local government and agencies working to combat fuel poverty and promote energy efficiency in delivering new interventions to bring relief to hard-pressed households using the VAT windfall.