Robert Jenrick has urged GB News viewers to enter a competition for the chance to win a year of free energy bills for their whole street.
Mr Jenrick, who unveiled Reform UK’s VAT-slashing energy plan in London earlier today, revealed Nigel Farage would pay the lucky winner a visit in the coming weeks.
Speaking to GB News, Reform UK’s Treasury spokesman said: “All GB News viewers, if you would like to have Nigel Farage knock on your door in the next couple of weeks and pay not just your energy bill but that of your entire street for a year, then go on our website www.nigelcutmybills.com, fill in, you’ll see all of our plan, and one lucky street is going to get chosen in the next few weeks.
“I appreciate it’s just one street. That’s all we can do at the moment. But, under a Reform Government, it won’t be just one street. The whole country will see their energy bills come down.”
GB News host Martin Daubney teased he was considering entering the competition.
“I would always like a freebie,” he said.
However, former Labour adviser Jo Phillips dismissed Reform UK’s competition.
She said: “I think this is a completely ridiculous gimmick, but I don’t blame you. Robert, you’re in the local election period and I’m sure there’s more where that came from.”
Mr Jenrick, who unveiled Reform UK’s VAT-slashing energy plan in London earlier today, revealed Nigel Farage would pay the lucky winner a visit in the coming weeks
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GB NEWS
Ms Phillips also pointed out that Sir Keir Starmer’s Government has not refused to rule out maintaining the five pence cut to fuel duty.
In a heated exchange at Prime Minister’s Questions last week, Sir Keir vowed to “look carefully” at whether to reverse Rachel Reeves’s decision to increase the tax following the conflict in the Middle East.
He told MPs: “Fuel duty is frozen, it’s going to remain frozen until September and we will keep the situation under review in light of what is happening in Iran.”
However, Mr Jenrick’s special plea to GB News viewers came just hours after he set out Reform UK’s plan to cut energy bills by £200 a year.
Reform UK believes its cuts will save Britons £200 a year
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PADiscussing the policy on The People’s Channel, Mr Jenrick said: “Everybody is suffering right now across the country. They were from rising groceries when they went to do their weekly shop.
“They are when they go to fill up their cars now with petrol and diesel – and that’s going up and up and up.
“Rachel Reeves is refusing to cancel the increase in fuel duty that is coming down the line in September.
“And on top of all of this, you’ve got the expense of energy bills that were high before the war, they’ll be higher even now as a result.
Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves | DOWNING STREET
“We think enough is enough. Workers are suffering, families are suffering, pensioners are suffering.
“This has got to come to an end. We are taking action. Firstly, we’re going to scrap, entirely, the hated heated tax – VAT on domestic fuel – that has been around for 30 years.
“It’s always been viewed as unfair… That will save the average household £85 every year.
“Secondly, we are going to get rid of the green levies and taxes that have been added by stealth to people’s energy bills.
Energy bills have been ticking up in recent years
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“Most of it goes to the energy companies. There’s no point having them. They will save another £115 every year.
Mr Jenrick described scrapping the two levies as “lightening the load” for cash-strapped Britons.
Axing domestic VAT on fuel duty was first touted by Brexiteers during the 2016 Brexit referendum, with European Union directives setting a minimum levy of five per cent.
However, the Chancellor looks unlikely to deliver a Brexit benefit for millions after today blaming the UK’s departure from the European Union for the nation’s economic woes.
Robert Jenrick is promising to cut energy bills
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GETTY
She said: “Brexit created profound uncertainty, raised new barriers to trade and leaves Britain facing an additional danger today: the risk that we find ourselves stranded between powerful trading blocs as globalisation retreats.”
Responding to the Chancellor’s Mais Lecture, Mr Jenrick said: “We should be taking full advantage of Brexit, for instance by abolishing VAT off energy bills to cut people’s bills.
“Instead, Reeves is desperate to give up control and leave our economy at the mercy of Brussels again.”
Boris Johnson was among the leading Brexiteers to initially voice support for slashing VAT on energy bills, later opting against the measure amid fears it would cost the Treasury £1.7billion a year.