SLOUGH’S MP questions why the government is “on the side” of the big oil and gas companies amid the cost of living crisis.

During a heated House of Commons debate on Thursday, September 8, newly appointed prime minister Liz Truss announced measures to help cash-strapped families as they see their energy bills rise.

Following on from Ofgem raising the price cap to £3,549 a year, Ms Truss said the government will freeze energy bills at £2,500 a year for two years, which will be funded through borrowing, from October 1.

This is despite calls from Labour to impose a fresh windfall tax on the unexpected excess profits on the energy companies to help fund her £150bn rescue package.

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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was unfair for the hardworking British people to pay for this via taxation and service cuts rather than on big business, who said it will not deter them from investing in the UK.

During Sir Keir’s speech, he gave way to Slough’s MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi.

Mr Dhesi said: “It seems that the government has decided to deal with this energy crisis off the backs of ordinary, hardworking Brits, and load huge levels of debt on future generations rather than properly taxing the billions of pounds of excess profits for energy companies.

“Why is this government on the side of big corporates rather than being on the side of ordinary hardworking Brits?

“Is it because the prime minister is a former employee of Shell and is therefore on the side of oil and gas companies and is not protecting ordinary, working British people?”

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Ms Truss reiterated that she was against a windfall tax, maintaining the belief it will put companies off from investing in the UK at the time it needs to grow its economy.

When announcing her support package, she said: “It will save a typical household £1,000 a year. It comes in addition to the £400 energy bills support scheme.

“This supersedes Ofgem’s price cap and has been agreed with energy retailers. We will deliver this by securing the wholesale price for energy while putting in place long-term measures to secure future supplies at more affordable rates.

“We are supporting this country through this winter and next, and tackling the root causes of high prices, so we are never in the same position again.”