A coalition row flared into the open today over the scaling back of Government green energy levies.
Downing Street indicated the “green taxes” were under review as part of a drive to help millions of families cope with the tightening squeeze on living standards.
But Business Secretary Vince Cable warned that reducing the green levies, as called for by some Tories, would be “foolish and short-sighted”.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman stressed the Government was looking “across the board” at ways to reduce pressures on household finances.
Asked if the levies were under review, he said: “You would expect us, when family budgets are under pressure, to be looking at ways of whether or not more can be done to help them.”
Energy giant SSE yesterday hiked its bills by as much as 9.7 per cent, with other firms expected to also increase tariffs. Mr Cable rejected claims from the energy company that Government green and social levies were to blame for a hefty share of the increase.
