‘Trump tax’ from Iran war blamed for soaring bills as Brits look for new home energy solutions

A large number of Brits want more government support for insulation and funding for solar panels and heat pumps to tackle a future energy crisis
Polling suggests that a third of adults are now more inclined towards these installations following the recent conflict in Iran.

However, the survey, conducted by Survation for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition among over 2,000 adults, revealed a major hurdle: 60 per cent believe such energy-saving technologies are simply too expensive to install.

This financial barrier comes as nearly three-quarters (71 per cent) advocate for greater government support for insulation, and 68 per cent desire more funding for solar panels and heat pumps to mitigate future energy crises by reducing consumption and household bills.

With energy price hikes anticipated from July, a staggering 83 per cent of respondents expressed worry, and 44 per cent indicated they would be unable to afford them.

In response, 73 per cent are calling for targeted government assistance, while 67 per cent believe support should be extended to all households.

Beyond political figures, public anger is also directed at energy companies.

Two-thirds (64 per cent) believe the energy industry is profiteering from the Iran conflict, which has seen oil and gas prices surge.

Furthermore, more than half of those surveyed consider it wrong to end the windfall tax on energy firms at this time.

Simon Francis, End Fuel Poverty Coalition co-ordinator said: “The public has had enough of history repeating itself.

“They want to protect themselves from oil and gas price shocks for good, and the Government has both the means and the mandate to help them do it.

“Energy firms made £125 billion in profits on their UK operations over the last five years and companies like BP are already expecting bumper profits from the fresh crisis.

Robert Palmer, deputy director of campaign group Uplift which backs the transition from fossil fuel production in the UK, said: “People know they’re being hit with a Trump Tax, plain and simple.

“We’re facing higher energy bills, rocketing fuel prices and more expensive mortgages.

He said more drilling in the North Sea, as Mr Trump has repeatedly called for, would not “take a penny off our bills” and have no meaningful impact on UK gas supplies.

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