To consider a motion which has been submitted, which is detailed below:
From Cllr L McCarthy to be seconded by Cllr Thomas
This Council notes that:
Ø On 1 April 2022, Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 54 per cent.
Ø 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).
Ø On 6 April 2022, the Government increased National Insurance by 1.25 percentage points, which is projected to cost the average family in Solihull an additional £600 a year.
Ø In 2021/22 Solihull Foodbanks distributed 2,201 food parcels (Trussell Trust, 2022)
Ø 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 first proposed by Sir Ed Davey MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats, in May 2022. 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:
(i) Immediately reduce the standard rate of VAT from 20 per cent to 17.5 per cent for one year, saving the average household in Solihull a further £600 this year;
(ii) Immediately restore the Universal Credit supplement of £20, which was cancelled by the Government in September 2021;
(iii) Council instructs the 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 re-introduction of the pensions triple-lock and for the £20 Universal Credit supplement to be restored; and
(iv) Finally, Council calls for a local Cost-of-Living Emergency Summit, with stakeholders, including Citizens Advice, Food Banks, Local Trades Unions, and Chambers of Commerce and will invite local MPs to attend this hybrid meeting.
Minutes:
Motion from Cllr L McCarthy
This Council notes that:
Ø On 1 April 2022, Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 54 per cent.
Ø 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).
Ø On 6 April 2022, the Government increased National Insurance by 1.25 percentage points, which is projected to cost the average family in Solihull an additional £600 a year.
Ø In 2021/22 Solihull Foodbanks distributed 2,201 food parcels (Trussell Trust, 2022)
Ø 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 first proposed by Sir Ed Davey MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats, in May 2022. 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:
(i) Immediately reduce the standard rate of VAT from 20 per cent to 17.5 per cent for one year, saving the average household in Solihull a further £600 this year;
(ii) Immediately restore the Universal Credit supplement of £20, which was cancelled by the Government in September 2021;
(iii) Council instructs the 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 re-introduction of the pensions triple-lock and for the £20 Universal Credit supplement to be restored; and
(iv) Finally, Council calls for a local Cost-of-Living Emergency Summit, with stakeholders, including Citizens Advice, Food Banks, Local Trades Unions, and Chambers of Commerce and will invite local MPs to attend this hybrid meeting.
Councillor Thomas seconded the motion.
The motion was debated and then Cllr L McCarthy proposed an amendment seconded by Cllr Thomas, the amendment read:
This Council notes that:
Ø On 1 April 2022, Ofgem increased the energy price cap by 54 per cent.
Ø 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).
Ø On 6 April 2022, the Government increased National Insurance by 1.25 percentage points, which is projected to cost the average family in Solihull an additional £600 a year.
Ø In 2021/22 Solihull Foodbanks distributed 2,201 food parcels (Trussell Trust, 2022)
This Council recognises the efforts made by local government Officers to help local residents. This Council declares a “cost of living emergency”
The amendment was then debated.
Cllr Courts submitted a further amendment seconded by Cllr Bob Sleigh which read:
This Council recognises the efforts made by the Council to help local residents and will continue to take steps to support residents, in this cost of living crisis.
The amendment was debated and then put to the vote.
The amendment was carried and then Council voted on the substantive motion and
RESOLVED:
That this Council recognises the efforts made by the Council to help local residents and will continue to take steps to support residents, in this cost of living crisis.