Janet Finch-Saunders MS has criticised Labour’s plans on energy costs after Andy Burnham pledged to reduce electricity bills by cutting VAT, saying the party has failed to explain how it would cover the cost of the tax cut.
The Office for Budget Responsibility has warned that measures to reduce taxes must be funded, meaning higher taxes or increased borrowing could be required to cover the cost. Janet Finch-Saunders said families and businesses across Wales need practical action to tackle rising energy costs, but also deserve clarity on how any commitments will be delivered without placing further pressure on public finances.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Senedd Member for Bangor Conwy Môn said:
“People across Wales are understandably concerned about the cost of energy, and any serious plan to reduce bills must be welcomed. However, Labour must be honest with people about how these promises will be paid for.
A policy announcement is only meaningful if there is a clear and credible plan behind it. If reducing bills simply means higher taxes or more borrowing elsewhere, then households and businesses could end up paying the cost in another way.
The Conservatives have set out a different approach, with a plan to reduce household energy bills by £200 and cut business electricity costs by 20%, funded by ending old renewable energy subsidies and scrapping net zero subsidies.”
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders AS wedi beirniadu cynlluniau Llafur ar gostau ynni ar ôl i Andy Burnham addo lleihau biliau trydan trwy dorri TAW, gan ddweud bod y blaid wedi methu ag esbonio sut y byddai'n talu cost torri’r dreth.
Mae'r Swyddfa Cyfrifoldeb Cyllidebol wedi rhybuddio bod rhaid ariannu mesurau i leihau trethi, sy'n golygu y gallai fod angen trethi uwch neu fwy o fenthyca i dalu'r gost. Dywedodd Janet Finch-Saunders fod angen camau gweithredu ymarferol ar deuluoedd a busnesau ledled Cymru i fynd i'r afael â chostau ynni cynyddol, ond hefyd bod angen eglurder ynghylch sut y bydd unrhyw ymrwymiadau'n cael eu cyflawni heb roi pwysau pellach ar gyllid cyhoeddus.
Meddai Janet Finch-Saunders, AS Bangor Conwy Môn:
"Mae pobl ledled Cymru yn amlwg yn poeni am gost ynni, ac mae'n rhaid croesawu unrhyw gynllun gwerth ei halen i leihau biliau. Fodd bynnag, rhaid i Lafur fod yn onest gyda phobl ynglŷn â sut y bydd yr addewidion hyn yn cael eu hariannu.
Dim ond os oes cynllun clir a chredadwy wrth ei wraidd y mae cyhoeddiad polisi yn ystyrlon. Os yw lleihau biliau yn golygu trethi uwch neu fwy o fenthyca mewn mannau eraill, yna gallai aelwydydd a busnesau fod yn talu'r gost mewn ffordd arall.
Mae'r Ceidwadwyr wedi cynnig dull gwahanol, gyda chynllun i leihau biliau ynni cartrefi £200 a lleihau costau trydan busnesau 20%, wedi'i ariannu trwy roi terfyn ar hen gymorthdaliadau ynni adnewyddadwy a chael gwared ar gymorthdaliadau sero net."
