Government under pressure for windfall tax

Date: 24th September 2008

Pressure to bring in a windfall tax on energy companies is mounting, with one in five Britons backing such a move.

Research by the firm Opiniun has revealed that 78 per cent of people consider energy firms' profits to be "unfair", while two in five are demanding a fuel rebate for the less well-off.

The investigation also discovered that 71 per cent of people believe the government's "green agenda" is an excuse for tax hikes.

Mark Hodson, of Opiniun Research, said: "Rising energy bills have affected the majority of people in the past year and the public seem to be as disheartened by the recent energy measures as they are by green taxes.

"It is clear that the British public do not trust the government to spearhead the green agenda."

The same study showed that while three-quarters of people say they are willing to recycle more, a similar amount stated that they were not willing to pay higher taxation to help the environment.

Accountants are set for a busy month with increases to the national minimum wage and rate relief for the basic tax band all set to occur in the coming weeks.