Help poor by taxing the rich: Meacher

MICHAEL MEACHER last night demanded a Robin Hood tax to help the vulnerable to pay soaring fuel bills.

People are going to have to decide whether to heat their homes or cook a meal, the Oldham West MP told the Labour conference.

The former environment minister hit out at the energy firms making billions in profits while there are four million people living in fuel poverty.

He said: “When many pensioners and low-income households will be having to make a stark choice this winter about eating or keeping warm there could not be a stronger case for a Robin Hood tax.

“Is this Government on the side of big business or is it on the side of the fuel poor?”

Mr Meacher also wants to see an end to the colossal bonuses in the City while people in Oldham are left struggling.

He said: “We have to get rid of the bonus culture. It was billions last year and a whole other world to the one of my constituents.”

Speaking of the Government’s fuel package and offering help with fuel efficiency and energy costs he said it was fine for the future.

But Mr Meacher added: “It won’t pay for those soaring bills now when the money is really needed.”

He described arguments by the energy companies that a windfall tax would prevent them making essential investment as piffle.

Mr Meacher said: “The fact is they have just increased their dividends by 20 per cent.

“The fact is — and this is the point — are we going to let these companies hold this country to ransom?”

He was cheered by conference delegates as he said: “If privatisation of energy is going to lead to this massive exploitation, then yes we should be thinking again about having a public role in our energy sector.”

Latest figures show 5,700 families across Oldham are having to pay out more than 10 per cent of their income on fuel bills.

The Government estimates 2.5 million households are in fuel poverty but Age Concern believes the figure could be as high as 4.5 million.

More than 100 MPs in Westminster are demanding the Government impose a windfall tax on energy companies as concern for people on low incomes grows with energy suppliers announcing steep rises in the price of gas and electricity.