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Written Question
Energy: Prices
Tuesday 9th December 2025

Asked by: Dave Robertson (Labour - Lichfield)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help lower energy bills.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Energy bills are too high. The previous Government left Britain dependent on the roller coaster of gas prices and left families paying around £1.7 billion on their bills for their failed energy efficiency ‘ECO’ scheme

This is why we are scrapping ECO and taking some of the expensive legacy levies off bills – saving households an average £150 from April.


Written Question
Deposit Return Schemes: VAT
Wednesday 2nd July 2025

Asked by: Dave Robertson (Labour - Lichfield)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of applying VAT to unredeemed deposits in the Deposit Return Scheme on levels of private investment into the scheme’s (a) infrastructure and (b) delivery.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government remains committed to successful implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme, which is a critical step in moving towards a circular economy that delivers sustainable growth and produces less waste, rubbish, and litter.

The Government is keen to ensure that VAT is not a barrier to effective operation of the Deposit Return Scheme. The Government is considering how best to achieve this while maintaining the integrity of the tax, and this work is being supported by engagement with industry representatives, including the British Soft Drinks Association.