Windfall tax alone won’t solve crisis

■ THE cost-of-living crisis is being driven by an inflationary spiral. One of the core reasons is the across-the-board increases in the price of energy.

We will all feel the pain of a 60% increase in the cost of gas and electricity, and we’ll feel it a second and third time when it sparks increases on food and other goods.

It’s in our interests to treat the primary cause of the inflation. And while a windfall tax on some of the obscene profits from energy firms would soften some effects for people, it doesn’t address the issue.

It makes no sense to allow energy producers to increase prices and be rewarded with vast profits. Ofgem, the so-called watchdog, has failed miserably. Stronger action is needed to bring down the price of energy.

Indeed, a government which places limitless trust in the power of the free market is probably unfit and unprepared to protect the economy. We deserve better.

Malcolm Ball Dewsbury, West Yorks

■ Boris is becoming predictable. Sue Gray’s report is out so, to deflect public anger, he and his mate Rishi will suddenly find that they can tax the energy firms after all to help ease the burden.

The Tories are a party only out for themselves. There are very few decent politicians among them. Ministers are always happy to say we have pledged millions for this and that, but how often do they actually do anything? How many U-turns have they

made? It’s just another ploy to deflect the daily criticism of our unworthy and morally void PM. John Richards

Hornchurch, East London

■ Ofgem is not fit for purpose and energy customers are paying the price. The war in Ukraine has exacerbated the problem but too often it is being used as an excuse both by government and Ofgem.

This is now an organisation that only looks after the suppliers and their shareholders when in fact it was set up to protect consumers.

Enough is enough. When Labour eventually comes to power, Ofgem needs kicking into touch.

James Rooney, Elgin, Moray

■ If the energy companies and Shell and BP are making obscene profits that run into billions, why does Ofgem think it needs to raise the energy costs again in October?

How many will be able to afford £2,800 per year for their energy on top of increases in rent, mortgage and other bills? Will the energy companies cut off families who can’t afford it? We are pensioners and I don’t know how we will cope. Anthony Treadwell

Atherstone, Warks

■ How hypocritical of E.ON chief Michael Lewis to say energy is too expensive when it is the energy companies increasing prices and making record profits (Mirror, May 23)? As one energy boss said, they have so much money they don’t know what to do with it.

They need to bring their prices back down. And the Government needs to get rid of Ofgem. It’s useless.

Brian Cowell, Manchester

■ The Conservatives are definitely not on our side. When have they ever cared about the lower-paid working class and the poor?

The only way to fix extortionate prices is for energy companies to be renationalised.

Labour should return to its traditional values to do this.

Sylvia Harrop, Ashton-under-lyne Gtr Manchester

■ Any tax levied on energy firms will be passed on to the customer, and I doubt money made by the Government will be spent where it’s needed most.

If Mr Lewis is so concerned, let him drop prices and cut dividends. But that won’t happen because the shareholders want more and more.

Douglas Higgins, Liverpool