UK Energy Companies Face Emissions Permits Tax

UK Energy companies have been threatened with a windfall tax after energy industry regulator Ofgem advised the Treasury that suppliers will receive a £9bn benefit from emissions permits.

The proposal was made during talks between the regulator and Chancellor Alistair Darling, writes The Times.

The regulator says that producers such as npower, British Gas and EDF Energy should be obliged to use some of the money to help their poorest customers.

Companies are given emission permits as part of a European Union emissions trading scheme.

By staff writer