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Ministers 'consider' windfall tax Ministers 'consider' windfall tax
(10 minutes later)
The government is considering imposing a windfall tax on energy companies amid public anger at record increases in fuel costs.The government is considering imposing a windfall tax on energy companies amid public anger at record increases in fuel costs.
The cash generated would be used to help poorer families who will struggle to pay their bills this winter.The cash generated would be used to help poorer families who will struggle to pay their bills this winter.
Business Secretary John Hutton told the BBC that ministers were "looking at all the options".Business Secretary John Hutton told the BBC that ministers were "looking at all the options".
The "big three" energy firms, Shell, BP and British Gas, have all recently announced multi-million-pound profits.The "big three" energy firms, Shell, BP and British Gas, have all recently announced multi-million-pound profits.
'Actively considered''Actively considered'
But CBI director Richard Lambert said a windfall tax would ultimately be bad for consumers.But CBI director Richard Lambert said a windfall tax would ultimately be bad for consumers.
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said such a move was not expected "imminently" but it was "something being actively considered".BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said such a move was not expected "imminently" but it was "something being actively considered".
On Thursday, Shell announced a £4bn profit for April to June - up 4.6% on the same period last year. Shell announced a £4bn profit for April to June - up 4.6% on the same period last year.
On Wednesday Centrica, which owns British Gas, said it had made £992m in the first half of the year. Centrica, which owns British Gas, said it had made £992m in the first half of the year.
This represented a fall of 20%, but came a day after it had announced a 35% price increase for British Gas customers.This represented a fall of 20%, but came a day after it had announced a 35% price increase for British Gas customers.
Earlier in the week, BP said it had made £3.4bn in the same period - a rise of 6%.Earlier in the week, BP said it had made £3.4bn in the same period - a rise of 6%.