Tackle the cost of living crisis this week with a vote on VAT cuts, Labour says

Earlier this month, Labour lost a binding vote in the Commons to cut VAT on energy bills, which would also have seen North Sea oil and gas companies face a windfall tax on their profits

The Government should call a vote in Parliament to solve the cost of living crisis instead of focusing on Tory squabbling, Labour has said.

With no urgent parliamentary business listed this week as of yet, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Pat McFadden says the Tories should debate Labour’s proposed measures to cut the expected price rise in April.

In the next few months energy bills are set to soar, with inflation rises, energy bill hikes and the onset of the National Insurance hike.

Keir Starmer’s party have called for VAT on energy bills to be cut as one.

It comes as analysis of Department for Work and Pensions figures by the party found the number of disabled people living in poverty is currently 3.8 million, increasing from 2.6 million in 2010 when the Conservative Party came to power.

Since Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves laid out plans to bring down energy bills families across the country, Parliament rose very early on Wednesday 12th, and early on Tuesday 18th January too.

This is time in which legislation could be debated or voted on in the Commons, Labour says.

Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Pat McFadden MP, said: “The Tories are hopelessly distracted by chaos of their own making.

“They are focused on fighting each other when they should be tackling the cost of living crisis affecting the whole country.

“As a result, we have ample time in parliament when we should be voting on Labour’s plan to keep people’s energy bills low, but a government that would rather let that opportunity slip away.

“Labour’s plan would save most households around £200 or more, and target extra support to squeezed middle, pensioners and the lowest earners. It would benefit families across the country. It’s a serious solution for a serious problem. The only thing stopping it happening is this incompetent Government.”

Earlier this month, Labour lost a binding vote in the Commons to cut VAT on energy bills, which would also have seen North Sea oil and gas companies face a windfall tax on their profits.

The motion was defeated by 319 votes to 229, majority 90, with Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) the only Tory to rebel to support it.