Commenting on BP’s $6.2bn profits for the first three months of this year, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“At a time when households across Britain are being hammered by soaring bills and prices these profits are obscene.

“The government must stop making excuses and impose a windfall tax on oil and gas companies.

“The money raised should bring down costs for struggling families.

“The longer ministers delay taking action to deal with this living standards emergency the more damage will be done.

“We need an Emergency Budget now.”