Senior Conservative MP urges government to reassess green levies

A senior Conservative MP has suggested that the government examine their commitment to green levies as prices continue to climb.

Robert Halfon, who chairs the Commons education select committee, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain programme that a 5p cut to fuel duty “would be helpful”.

“I note that the Irish have done much more than that, perhaps we could be more generous because as you’ve highlighted fuel isn’t just about motorists, it actually feeds into every part of our lives,” he went on.

Halfon has recently called for a cut to fuel duty, arguing that escalating prices could prompt a “de facto lockdown” as people’s spending power takes a major hit.

He said that tackling rising inflation and the corresponding impact on cost of living “ must be a priority for the Government,” describing it as “the single most important issue domestically facing our nation”.

He also said his local constituents are “terrified”, and that he he had not “seen hardship like this”.

Halfon said ministers must “go further”, including a reassessment of green levies.

“That would make a significant difference. I’ve said before about VAT on energy, I realise that would be £100 – that’s not going to be a massive dent – but as the saying goes every little helps,” he explained.