RISHI Sunak is edging towards slapping a windfall tax on energy firms, it emerged last night.
The Chancellor has told North Sea oil and gas companies they may face a levy unless they invest more in UK energy.
Mr Sunak said recently that “nothing is ever off the table” — although the Government’s official position is that the tax would deter spending.
He is facing pressure to act after Shell and BP revealed respectively that they made £7billion and £5billion in the first three months of this year.
BP has vowed to invest with or without a levy.
Centrica has likened any tax to “burning the furniture to keep warm”.
Read more on the windfall tax
A government source said: “We want more ambitious plans, faster.”
Earlier this week it was revealed that one in three voters back the tax.
32 per cent of voters think the best way to help Brits is to slap a windfall tax on energy companies’ profits.