People seem to fall into two camps with their opinions on New Years’ Resolutions. Whether you think they are a waste of time or rethink your whole life as the clock strikes midnight, the turning of the year is as good a time as any to think about hopes for the future.
As I watched the latest Prime Minister address the nation with a new year message about being proud of the country, expecting fairness and having hope for the future, many of us were sitting wondering whether the lights on our Christmas Tree or the increased use of the oven would make it more difficult than usual to pay our January bills.

I had a complete shock seeing my own energy bill double in December. I put it down to children home from Uni (extra loads of washing and very long showers). Plus, we had that extended cold snap, shorter days and watched more TV over Christmas.
I am lucky. I can find the money for what I hope is a mid-winter blip, but many people cannot. It’s crazy that as the energy market is increasingly powered by renewable sources and wholesale gas prices are falling, prices for hard-pressed households continue to rise.
The Conservative government has given help over the winter, but for high energy users – including those with disabilities, the frail and those in older or rented homes which are typically less well insulated – this is a drop in the ocean. They belatedly adopted the Windfall Tax, first proposed by Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey in January 2022, but it still lets oil and gas firms off the hook.

The tax – officially the Energy Profit Levy – only applies to UK oil and gas extraction, not profits from refining or selling fuel at the pumps. It also brings in a ‘super-deduction’ tax break when profits are invested in MORE fossil fuel extraction, worth 91p in the pound. This allows Conservative MPs to talk about the generous support they are giving, whilst knowing that profits in oil and gas company are rising still higher.
If the Prime Minister genuinely believes in fairness and hope, he must urgently reform the Windfall Tax. As suggested by the Liberal Democrats, it should be broadened to cover all profits and linked to a programme of home insulation. This will lower bills by reducing the need for heat and decrease the carbon footprint of every home. It will also create green jobs in every community.

The super-deduction should be limited to investment in renewables infrastructure so we speed up the transition to green energy and the Government should reform the energy market so that consumers – including businesses –benefit when wholesale prices reduce.
A New Year allows us to reset, rethink and make a real difference. There is so much this government must do to restore trust, bring hope, and improve lives but this is a good place to start directly benefitting homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals while expecting those who are accidentally profiting to carry a larger burden.

May I wish you and yours a happy and healthy New Year.