The UK government should cut rising energy bills by getting rid of levies that subsidise renewable energy, the boss of E.On UK has said.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Michael Lewis said green subsidies should be funded through tax instead.
Regulators have warned that consumer energy bills will be hit by soaring prices of fossil fuels globally.
Wholesale energy prices rose on Thursday after a key electricity cable between Britain and France shut down.
Mr Lewis said: “This is going to be a very challenging winter for customers and for suppliers and there is a real short-term imperative to do what we can to help consumers.”
Green levies account for around a quarter of energy bills, he said.
Mr Lewis recommended removing green levies and paying for subsidies through general taxation, “so these costs are funded more progressively and we level the playing field on the cost of cleaner heating.”
“Then we can also start to apply something like a carbon tax on gas on a ‘polluter pays’ principle,” he added.
A government spokesperson said: “Our energy price cap will protect millions of customers this winter from sudden increases in global gas prices.
“Millions of low-income households will also benefit from a £140 discount on their bills, with added support offered to pensioners and the most vulnerable over the colder months.” Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58579829?fbclid=IwAR1XZ2hpCyAgu-O-vqHxgQIBZxogTN3Jusjo8QvUV4JUE5cPCIWcs9RdtuA
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