Broken promises don’t pay the bills: Labour slams Gove’s broken promise on energy VAT cut

Labour has criticised Michael Gove and Boris Johnson for breaking their promise to cut VAT on energy bills.

In a joint piece in The Sun during the Brexit campaign, Johnson and Gove wrote: “Fuel bills will be lower for everyone. In 1993, VAT on household energy bills was imposed. This makes gas and electricity much more expensive. … When we Vote Leave, we will be able to scrap this unfair and damaging tax.”

However when asked about the promise on Sky News this morning, Gove repeatedlyrefused to recommit to his previous pledge.

Ed Miliband MP, Labour's Shadow Climate Change and Net Zero Secretary, said:

“Broken promises don’t pay the bills.

“Both Boris Johnson and Michael Gove promised to cut VAT on energy bills. But when push comes to shove, when families and pensioners really need support, they’ve broken that commitment.

“While Michael Gove backpedals, Rishi Sunak is missing in action.

“Labour would give families security by immediately cutting VAT on energy bills now - part of our plan to save households around £200 or more, with extra support for those feeling the squeeze the most, paid for by a windfall tax on oil and gas companies facing record profits. 

"A Labour government will invest in renewables, nuclear and upgrading homes to solve the long term problem that the Conservatives have created in our broken energy system."

Ends

Notes to Editors

• The statement from Michael Gove and Boris Johnson can be found here:http://www.voteleavetakecontrol.org/statement_by_michael_gove_boris_johnson_and_gisela_stuart_for_the_sun_vote_leave_to_cut_vat_on_fuel.html

• Labour’s plan to fix the energy market can be viewed here:https://labour.org.uk/press/labour-slams-decade-of-failure-on-british-energy-with-plan-to-save-families-200-to-ease-immediate-crisis-costs/
• Transcript of Michael Gove on Sky News this morning:

https://twitter.com/skynews/status/1480442613052452867?s=21

KB: In addition to that, they're struggling to pay their energy bills. Should we be cutting VAT on energy bills?

MG: Well again I think it's important that we look at a range of options here in order to help and the government already provide additional support for those who are in particular difficulties. We have a warm homes payments. There are others ways in which we support people So I think it's important when we are thinking about how we help people that we look at ways in which we can target our support most effectively on those most in need.

KB: Is that a yes or no to cutting VAT on bills as far as you're concerned?

MG: Well I think we should always seek to cut taxes whenever we can. But also it's important that when we are providing support for people but we are targeting most on those who needed most.

KB: So cutting VAT on energy bills is something you would support?

MG: Well you know, in my view, the more we can cut taxes for the better but at this point I think the prudent and responsible thing to do is to recognise that we need to take a balanced approach and a balanced approach means that when we can support we provide support most to those in the most difficult circumstances

KB: So particularly on energy bills at the moment given that some people could find themselves with a bill going up more than 600 quid?

MG: Well I think that's precisely why we should be concentrating our support most on those with the least income, the least wherewithal, in order to be able to meet those and other bills and that's what we do.