Calls for a windfall tax on energy firms to ease living costs are expected to be blocked by Tories in a vote today.
Labour will try to force the tax on oil and gas firms’ multi billion-pound profits today - and hand £600 to struggling families battling the cost-of-living crisis.
Keir Starmer ’s party will table an amendment to the Queen’s Speech demanding the one-off levy to generate cash to help hard-up households.
It said the plan would mean up to £600 in “extra support” for the “squeezed middle”, pensioners and the lowest earners.
The parliamentary showdown comes less than two weeks after Shell reported its highest-ever quarterly profits.
It made £7.3billion in the first three months of the year - nearly triple the £2.6bn for the same period in 2021.
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BP’s profits for the first three months of 2022 more than doubled to £4.9bn, as oil and gas prices surged.
But households are paying the price, with the energy cap rocketing by 54% last month - costing families an extra £693 a year and taking average annual bills to £1,971.
Another hike taking bills to about £2,900 is feared in the autumn.
Shadow Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said: "As energy bills rise by record amounts for millions of families, it is shameful that Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak still refuse to back a windfall tax that could help tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
"Today, Labour will give MPs another chance to support our one-off windfall tax on oil and gas producer profits to bring down bills.
"This fair and principled measure now has support from business, trade unions, across the political spectrum and, most importantly, the overwhelming majority of the public.
"Conservative MPs must now join the British people in calling for a windfall tax - or explain why they continue to oppose measures that would ease the cost-of-living crisis."
By convention, the Speaker will select a Labour amendment to the Queen’s Speech - meaning the plan should be put to a vote.
Tory MPs are expected to vote against the bid - a move set to trigger claims they are protecting fossil fuel firms’ eye-watering profits while hammering hard-up families.
Asked on Sunday if the Government would support Labour’s amendment, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng insisted: “Of course not.”
A mass rebellion is not anticipated but some Tory backbenchers could stage a mini-revolt.
Senior Conservative MP Mel Stride, who chairs the Commons Treasury Select Committee, said: “We are in extraordinary circumstances - the supernormal profits that these companies have made are vast, and I personally think there is a case now for looking at a one-off windfall tax and channelling that money in towards those who are really struggling and are bearing the brunt of these cost-of-living challenges."
No10 again slammed calls for a levy, while refusing to rule it out.
Mr Johnson’s spokesman said: “A windfall tax isn’t something the Prime Minister supports, nor does the Chancellor.
“The view of the Government is that a windfall tax is not the right approach, (it) would deter investment into things like renewables.”
However, he added: “It’s right that we keep all options on the table in light of these global pressures, but it’s certainly not something that the Government is in favour of.”
