Advocacy for Lowering Taxes on Electricity and Communication Services
In a robust conversation with the media at the Assembly of the Republic, the front-runner of the PCP (Portuguese Communist Party), Paula Santos, slammed the economic giants in the energy and telecom sectors for raking in hefty profits at the expense of the countless toils of workers, retirees, and families.
Paula Santos bandied words about the exorbitant expenses associated with energy, electricity, gas, and telecommunications that are leaving a colossal effect on the financial stability of a significant number of households, especially those of low-income individuals. She stressed the paramount necessity of taking prompt measures to shave off those costs.
"We champion the restoration of VAT to 6% on all electricity, natural gas, and extending it to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and piped gas. Moreover, we advocate for a similar 6% VAT on telecommunications," she asserted.
To ensure that these vital goods and services are accessible to all households, Paula Santos underscored the importance of no home being left without heat during the winter months due to the astronomical energy costs.
Alongside these propositions, the parliamentary leader of the PCP announced the introduction of a proposal to peg the price of LPG at 20 euros, highlights in contrast, the price in Portugal is currently twice that of Spain. "There's no sensible logic behind this discrepancy," she stated, pointing out that LPG is the primary energy source for more than 2 million families in Portugal.
These PCP suggestions — which the party has endorsed in numerous previous parliamentary assemblies, including the recent one, but fell short of securing approval — are aimed at addresses the high and twenty-footed costs of fundamental goods that have a profound impact on the well-being of the average Portuguese family.
Insights:1. The PCP suggests reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications, aiming to make these services more affordable for families and businesses by decreasing the tax burden.2. The party also advocates for setting a fixed price for bottled gas at 20 euros to provide affordable, predictable energy costs for households and businesses.
[1] Value Added Tax: A consumption tax levied on goods and services at virtually every stage of production and distribution.[2] Paris Agreement: A treaty to combat the severe impacts of climate change by substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing energy costs could help enable countries to transition to renewable energy sources.
"The PCP advocates for a reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications, aiming to make these services cheaper for families and businesses, as part of their efforts to improve Portugal's financial well-being."
"Additionally, they propose setting a fixed price of 20 euros for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), aiming to provide more affordable and predictable energy costs for households and businesses in Portugal, especially those struggling with energy expenses."
