Agenda item

Proposer – Councillor Dention

Seconder – Councillor W Fielding

That this Council notes that:

•         On 1 April 2022, Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 54%.

•         In light of the increased energy price cap, the average standard tariff energy bill will increase by £693 per year. The average pre-pay meter energy bill will increase by £708 per year (Ofgem, 2022).

•         In 2021/22 Barnsley Foodbanks distributed food parcels at a rate of 3200 per 100,000 people – a total of 7265 parcels (Trussell Trust, 2022).

That this Council notes the decision taken in June 2022 to impose a ‘Windfall Tax’ on the super-profits of oil and gas companies and to redistribute this as a one-off payment of £400 to households later this year. Council notes that the Windfall Tax was called for by both Sir Ed Davey MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Sir Keir Starmer MP, leader of the Labour Party. Though the Windfall Tax is welcome, Council believes it does not go nearly far enough and the Government should be doing much more to support local people through the Cost of Living crisis.

This Council therefore declares a ‘Cost of Living Emergency’ and calls on the Government to:

•         Immediately reduce the standard rate of VAT from 20% to 17.5% for one year, saving the average household in Barnsley a further £600 this year.

•         Immediately restore the Universal Credit supplement of £20, which was cancelled by the Government in September 2021.

•         Extend free school meals to all those families on Universal Credit.

Therefore, that this Council asks the Chief Executive and Council Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to express the Council’s demands for VAT to be cut to 17.5%, for the £20 Universal Credit supplement to be restored and for free school meals to be extended to all families on Universal Credit.

Notice of Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order No 6.

Moved by Councillor Denton - Seconded by Councillor W Fielding

That this Council notes that:

• On 1 April 2022, Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 54%.
• In light of the increased energy price cap, the average standard tariff energy bill will increase by £693 per year. The average pre-pay meter energy bill will increase by £708 per year (Ofgem, 2022).
• In 2021/22 Barnsley Foodbanks distributed food parcels at a rate of 3200 per 100,000 people – a total of 7265 parcels (Trussell Trust, 2022).

That this Council notes the decision taken in June 2022 to impose a ‘Windfall Tax’ on the super-profits of oil and gas companies and to redistribute this as a one-off payment of £400 to households later this year. Council notes that the Windfall Tax was called for by both Sir Ed Davey MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats, and Sir Keir Starmer MP, leader of the Labour Party. Though the Windfall Tax is welcome, Council believes it does not go nearly far enough and the Government should be doing much more to support local people through the Cost of Living crisis.

This Council therefore declares a ‘Cost of Living Emergency’ and calls on the Government to:

• Immediately reduce the standard rate of VAT from 20% to 17.5% for one year, saving the average household in Barnsley a further £600 this year.
• Immediately restore the Universal Credit supplement of £20, which was cancelled by the Government in September 2021.
• Extend free school meals to all those families on Universal Credit.

Therefore, that this Council asks the Chief Executive and Council Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to express the Council’s demands for VAT to be cut to 17.5%, for the £20 Universal Credit supplement to be restored and for free school meals to be extended to all families on Universal Credit.

An Amendment was submitted in accordance with Standing Order No 8

Moved by Councillor Sir Stephen Houghton CBE – Seconded by Councillor Lamb

This Council commends the Council’s administration for the work it has done to support people during the Covid Pandemic and the current cost of living crisis.

However, it notes:-

• On 1 April 2022, Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 54%.
• In light of the increased energy price cap, the average standard tariff energy bill will increase by £693 per year. The average pre-pay meter energy bill will increase by £708 per year (Ofgem, 2022).
• In 2021/22 Barnsley Foodbanks distributed food parcels at a rate of 3200 per 100,000 people – a total of 7265 parcels (Trussell Trust, 2022).
• That the cost of living crisis is having a significant effect on Council budgets and the ability to deliver services to the most vulnerable.

Council welcomes the decision taken in June, 2022 to impose a windfall tax on the super profits of oil and gas companies and to redistribute this as a ‘one off’ payment of £400 later this year.

The Council notes that the windfall tax was first called for by Sir Kier Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party and then by Sir Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats but initially rejected by Boris Johnson.

Though the windfall tax is welcome Council believes it does not go far enough, and the Government should be doing more to support local people during the cost of living crisis.

Rishi Sunak MP, one of the two candidates to be the next Prime Minister, has said in his campaign there is a national economic emergency in the UK.

This Council agrees and calls upon the next Prime Minister to declare a national economic and cost of living emergency and to:-

• Immediately reduce the standard rate of VAT from 20% to 17.5% for one year, saving the average household in Barnsley a further £600 this year.
• Immediately restore the Universal Credit supplement of £20, which was cancelled by the Government in September 2021.
• Extend free school meals to all those families on Universal Credit.
• Provide additional and fair funding to local councils to ensure continuity of service delivery.

Council asks the Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to express the Council’s wishes on these matters.

On being put to the vote, the Amendment was WON.

The Amendment was then put as the Substantive Motion and:

Moved by Councillor Sir Stephen Houghton CBE – Seconded by Councillor Lamb; and

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the Council calls upon the next Prime Minister to declare a national economic and cost of living emergency and to:-

·         Immediately reduce the standard rate of VAT from 20% to 17.5% for one year, saving the average household in Barnsley a further £600 this year.

·         Immediately restore the Universal Credit supplement of £20, which was cancelled by the Government in September 2021.

·         Extend free school meals to all those families on Universal Credit.

·         Provide additional and fair funding to local councils to ensure continuity of service delivery; and

(ii)          That the Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to express the Council’s wishes on these matters.