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24
Aug 2022
Andrew Jones MP defends government response to energy crisis
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has defended the government’s response to the energy crisis, saying there are “no easy short-term fixes” to reduce the nation’s dependency on gas and oil.
Business leaders wrote to Mr Jones this week with warnings that many firms face closure due to soaring energy prices.
In response, Mr Jones said long-term progress had been made in the move away from fossil fuels and that the government was providing support for businesses and households during the current crisis.
He said in a letter:
Mr Jones was writing in a letter to the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, which also contacted Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams about its “grave concerns”.
Chamber chief executive David Simister urged the Conservative MPs to put pressure on the government to “act now” and help businesses before they reach “tipping point”.
Read more:
- £70,000 energy bill increase forces Harrogate district farm shop to close
- Harrogate council could dip into reserves to cover soaring energy costs
- MPs warned energy bills are pushing Harrogate district businesses to ‘tipping point’
In response, Mr Smith said in a statement he was “extremely concerned” about energy costs and that he would “put pressure on ministers to do more”.
Meanwhile, Mr Jones also highlighted the support already being provided to businesses and families, including a £400 grant for all UK households from October.
Homes in council tax bands A to D should have also received £150, while eight million low income households will get £650 on top of this. There are also £300 payments promised for eight million pensioners.
For businesses, Mr Jones said a new rates relief will support investment in property upgrades from 2023 when a separate small profits rate will also mean around 1.4 million businesses continue to pay corporation tax at 19% or none at all.
Mr Jones added:
His comments come as the government has previously said there would be no new policies before a new Prime Minister is in place.
The new Conservative Party leader – and Prime Minister – is set to be announced on September 5.
Liz Truss is the current favourite to replace Boris Johnson. She has promised tax cuts and recently hinted at direct financial help for hard-hit households.
Her rival, Rishi Sunak, has vowed to introduce more targeted support for households, including a reduction in VAT on domestic energy bills from 5% to zero.
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