Rishi Sunak was right to reject a VAT cut on energy bills - it’s a shame he changed his mind

The debate over VAT is one where it appears that principles have been sacrificed in favour or realpolitik, argues Ben Chapman

Conservative former chancellor Rishi Sunak (PA)

Rishi Sunak has been accused of “flip-flopping” over a VAT cut on energy bills after he came out in favour of a policy that he voted against and criticised last year.

Slashing the tax rate on domestic energy bills from 5 per cent to zero would save households £160, he pointed out this week.

That was in contrast to his previous position in which he said he could not support a VAT cut because it would “disproportionately benefit wealthier households”.