Tories choose to ignore our pain
■ WHEN the provision of gas and electricity was still under state control, the revenue went directly back into the economy – I would argue for the benefit of all.
But then along came Margaret Thatcher who privatised the utilities, and ownership went to investors and, almost inevitably, foreign multinational companies.
The so-called regulator, Ofgem, has proved itself to be a toothless unaccountable quango that, along with the current bunch of Tories, is seemingly more interested in protecting the dividends paid out to foreign shareholders.
A windfall tax would be good, but failing that, bring in legislation that requires the energy companies to slash their charges by at least half, then make up the difference from the obscene profits they are gloating over. It would never happen, of course.
Heaven forbid that this crowd of self-serving, incompetent and corrupt Conservatives should interfere with money going into the coffers of their rich friends.
John Irving, Leeds
■ Yet again I see the Conservative party intends to do nothing to help struggling families. Not one Tory MP voted in favour of a windfall tax amendment. I suppose that’s what becomes of having an 80 seat majority in the House of Commons.
Harold Ennis Ruardean, Glos
■ For many there is now not just a choice between eating or heating, they cannot afford to do either. It’s a completely unacceptable state of affairs in a country as rich as ours.
What has the Government done? Ruled out a windfall tax on energy providers, failed to help with rapidly increasing food costs, and its cut in fuel duty made no difference at the petrol pumps.
If the Government can afford to waste £37billion on ineffective track and trace and a fortune on useless PPE it can afford to subsidise those in dire straits at this time, many of whom are working.
A perfect storm is brewing. Diane Silva, Bournemouth
■ Those Tory MPs who voted against the £600 for households are the lowest of the low.
Where I live in Derbyshire has just been described as one of the worst in the county for low wages, with a poor economy, high alcohol dependency, low life expectancy, – the list goes on.
Yet my MP, Mark Fletcher, votes to cut Universal Credit, increase National Insurance contributions, he votes against free TV licences, and now votes against the £600.
He is a disgrace, nothing less. Keith Bowman, Bolsover, Derbys
■ Once again we see the Tories for who they are. A windfall tax would help a great many people but the Tories vote against it. They need to realise not everyone has millions in the bank. They should try living on what a lot of families are having to manage on. How many of these MPs know the price of things? We should stop their subsidised meals and drinks and cut their expenses.
L Hayward Market Harborough, Leics
■ There is absolutely no reason why a windfall tax cannot be levied on energy firms, who are making record profits while ordinary people struggle. This tax would only be a one-off in view of these vast, unprecedented profits, and so should not discourage investment.
D Richens, South East London
■ So Johnson and Sunak claim they cannot possibly impose a windfall tax on the energy companies because it would have an adverse effect on the creation of new jobs.
In the same breath they’re congratulating themselves because there are now more jobs than there are unemployed people to fill them. Something doesn’t add up here.
Colin Gatrell, Isle of Wight