Boris Johnson urged to cash in on bonuses of Brexit by scrapping VAT on heating bills

BORIS Johnson is today urged to cash in on the bonuses of Brexit by scrapping VAT on heating bills as promised. The PM has been reminded of the THREE times he vowed quitting the EU would bring down gas and electricity costs. As the country celebrates a year since finally unshackling from the bloc, he is […]

BORIS Johnson is today urged to cash in on the bonuses of Brexit by scrapping VAT on heating bills as promised.

The PM has been reminded of the THREE times he vowed quitting the EU would bring down gas and electricity costs.

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Labour today confronts Mr Johnson with his own words pledging cheaper prices once rid of Brussels diktats[/caption]

As the country celebrates a year since finally unshackling from the bloc, he is now under fresh pressure to shield families from crippling energy prices.

Labour today confronts Mr Johnson with his own words pledging cheaper prices once rid of Brussels diktats. 

During the referendum Mr Johnson wrote in The Sun that “fuel bills will be lower for everyone” as the 5 per cent VAT rate could be axed.

He repeated the vow with a BBC interview trumpeting the benefits of Brexit “such as on cutting VAT on the cost of fuel for elderly people, which is a huge burden.”

And as he sought to ram his Brexit deal through a deadlocked Parliament in October 2019, he once again pledged that leaving would empower him to set VAT to his liking.

The Sun is calling for VAT to be knocked off energy bills as families face a £1,200 blow to their wallets thanks to rocketing energy bills, taxes and inflation.

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Pat McFadden said: “Boris Johnson promised not once but three times to cut VAT on household energy bills during and after the Brexit referendum campaign.

“It’s now a year since the Brexit deal was signed, yet Johnson and his government are refusing to put in place this immediate change that would help households facing soaring energy bills, rising costs and tax hikes.”

A Treasury spokesperson said: “We know that people are facing pressures and that is why protecting consumers is our top priority with our Energy Price Cap remaining in place. We are also supporting vulnerable and low-income households further through initiatives such as the £500m Household Support Fund, Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.

“Domestic fuels such as gas and electricity are already subject to the reduced rate of 5 per cent of VAT.”