HC Deb 18 January 1995 vol 252 c496W
Ms Coffey

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue has been raised from value added tax on gas and electricity standing charges since its introduction.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Standing charges on gas and electricity supply from 1 April to the end of December 1994 will give rise to £100 million of VAT.

Ms Coffey

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimation he has made of the proportion in value added tax as a percentage of the total bill paid in(a) standing charge and (b) actual energy consumption by (i) low-income households and (ii) high-income households.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The answers will depend on the particular energy company and factors such as whether an economy rate is used, severity of weather, level of insulation and so on. The Government have made available a substantial package of help for those on low incomes.