![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/rishi-sunak-plans-to-expand-windfall-tax-grab/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/TELEMMGLPICT000314145456_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqqVzuuqpFlyLIwiB6NTmJwSX5rhseiWKOo9p9OQ-ymek-1.jpeg&description=New polling has suggested that voters trust Mr Sunak more than Sir Keir Starmer to handle the economy. Asked who they trust more on the economy, 30 per cent said Mr Starmer while 41 per cent backed the Prime Minister, according to polling by BMG for the i. At present the energy profits levy on oil and gas firms - known as the windfall tax - is set at 25 per cent and, according to law, will expire in December 2025. It is expected to raise £17 billion this year and next. The Telegraph understands that Mr Hunt is looking at increasing the levy above the 25 per cent level, and extending the legal deadline. The Chancellor is also looking to include renewable energy generators such as wind farms in the remit of the tax. That could replace the price cap on wind farms introduced by Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former business secretary, earlier this month. Nadhim Zahawi, the Tory chairman, suggested on Thursday that the energy giants' windfall tax could be extended as part of next month's Autumn Statement. He told LBC Radio: 'The Prime Minister, when chancellor, was actually the chancellor who introduced the windfall tax which is raising £5 billion from the energy producers like Shell. 'It also is incentivising them, this is why Rishi Sunak was so smart about this when he was chancellor, that if they make an investment in the UK… then of course they will be incentivised to do so. 'But these are tough decisions and I know the Chancellor and the Prime Minister will be looking at everything.' Mr Zahawi also suggested that the state pension triple lock will be kept in place after No 10 refused to commit to the pledge. Asked whether Mr Sunak could backtrack, Mr Zahawi said: "Pensioners are uniquely - and I'm going to state the bleeding obvious here - they're unique in that they can't take on work to increase their income and therefore are uniquely vulnerable."And I know that the Prime Minister and the Chancellor will be very, very conscious of that fact." Shell chief admits case for win){kind=link}
The Prime Minister could target energy firms as he tries to raise billions of pounds to balance the books
Rishi Sunak is drawing up plans to expand the windfall tax on energy giants as he attempts to raise billions to help balance the books.
The Prime Minister is understood to be considering a range of proposals including increasing the levy, extending the deadline and expanding its remit to include renewable energy generators such as wind farms.
On Thursday, Mr Sunak held a meeting with Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, at which they agreed that despite the improvement in the markets there was still a “massive fiscal black hole to fill” and billions in headroom was needed.
Although the pair are understood to be preparing spending cuts, government insiders have pointed to warnings that the NHS backlog could continue to rise past 2024 without extra investment.