Dear John
Soaring energy prices affect everyone but are hitting some of us especially hard – particularly older people and low income households. Without urgent action many more will be forced to choose between heating and eating.
At the same time BP and Shell are making billions in record profits – and trashing the planet.
So please join the growing call for a windfall tax on the oil and gas giants – first started by inspirational campaigners like Fuel Poverty Action [1].
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This crisis is a gas crisis, so it's only right that the polluting gas companies pay the price. Now’s the time for the Chancellor to tax those companies – and use their profits to help people in need.
And what profits they are – an eye-watering £9.5 billion for BP and £14.2 billion for Shell.
We know that many of you are worried about the impact that energy price rises will have on your own bills. And over 98% of people we surveyed last month told us they’re worried about how the price hikes will hit vulnerable people.
Please help us turn that concern into action. The demand for a windfall tax on oil and gas company profits is growing every day. We’re putting our support behind it too.
So if you haven't already called for the tax, it’ll only take you a minute to sign our petition.
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Some people are claiming that a windfall tax would hamper investment in renewable energy, but we don’t buy that.
The truth is that BP and Shell invest very little in renewables and a windfall tax wouldn’t stop them from doing more. Right now their additional profits largely go to shareholders and to investment in oil and gas.
And though some UK pension funds do invest in BP and Shell, they form a tiny proportion of total shares. That means very little of the oil giants’ windfall profits will help people in this country – and will disproportionately go to wealthier people.
But a windfall tax could be used to support those most in need of support right now.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes
Connor Schwartz
Climate campaigner
PS. Fuel Poverty Action is currently crowdfunding to support its vital work. If you're able to, please consider helping it continue to help people.
NOTES:
[1] Thank you if you’ve already signed another organisation’s petition calling for a windfall tax on oil and gas companies – like the ones set up by our friends Fuel Poverty Action and Greenpeace. We’re in regular contact with our allies so our petition is designed to add more voices to the call you might have seen.
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