Member

Meanwhile, the Minister’s colleagues in another place demonise gas. They say they have no control over domestic gas prices. The Secretary of State consistently repeats that point, blaming petro-dictators for the international price of gas, but of course the Government can change the costs of gas to consumers if they so wish—for example, through the energy profits levy, windfall taxes, petroleum revenue tax, ring-fenced corporation taxes and supplementary charges, not to mention licensing conditions, support for decommissioning, support for allowances when it comes to exploration activity, network price controls and VAT on domestic gas, which can be raised, lowered or net-zero rated.