Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2022 to Question 125532 on Energy: VAT, if he will make an estimate of the potential increase in the tax take through VAT on household energy bills by October 2022.

As set out in the answer to PQ UIN 125532, high energy prices reduce VAT revenues.

In recognition that families should not have to bear all the VAT costs they incur to meet their needs, domestic fuels such as gas and electricity are already subject to the reduced rate of 5 per cent of VAT. If people spend more on energy where VAT is 5 per cent, they spend less on goods and services that on average have a much higher VAT rate, thereby reducing VAT revenue overall.