Rishi Sunak accused of ‘dither’ over windfall tax U-turn

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( May 27, 2022 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Rishi Sunak accused of ‘dither’ over windfall tax U-turn to fund £15bn cost-of-living package]( Rishi Sunak has been accused of costing taxpayers £6bn by dithering over his windfall tax U-turn, after he announced a levy on oil and gas companies to help pay for a £15bn cost-of-living support package. The announcement also sparked fears that the sudden injection of cash would drive up inflation and interest rates. And environmentalists accused the chancellor of offering state subsidies for climate change, after he announced new tax breaks to ensure the £5bn levy does not deter investment in North Sea oil and gas extraction. Mr Sunak finally bowed to months of pressure on Thursday to impose a 25 per cent tax on the “extraordinary profits” of energy giants, part-funding assistance worth £1,200 a year for around 8 million of the country’s poorest households. The move was welcomed as a “breathing space” for families faced with a choice between heating and eating, as prices for energy and food soar.   2 / [Kevin Spacey charged with four counts of sexual assault in UK]( Former ‘House of Cards’ star charged over events alleged to have taken place between 2005 and 2013 3 / [Brokenhearted husband dies after wife slain in Texas rampage]( Fourth-grade teacher Irma Garcia was killed in her Texas classroom on Tuesday, massacred along with her co-teacher and 19 students 4 / [Cleaners to protest outside Downing Street over ‘culture of disrespect’]( This follows revelations in Sue Gray’s partygate report of multiple examples of “unacceptable” treatment of security and cleaning staff 5 / [Goodfellas star Ray Liotta dies aged 67]( Actor died in the Dominican Republic while shooting a new film     The Big Question What do you need to remember about travelling abroad (if it’s been a while)? As the current deluge of travellers awaiting passports and queueing at airports suggests, international travel is firmly back. Many of us are taking our first trips overseas since the big travel shutdown of the Covid-19 pandemic – and airports and airlines are suggesting that some passengers might be feeling a little rusty. So what are the top things to consider before you leave home and set off abroad in 2022, by plane, train or ferry? Here’s everything you need to know. [Read the full story >](   Watch/ [Monkeypox: How does the virus spread and what are the symptoms?](   NUMBER OF THE DAY 1,000 – The BBC has announced that CBBC, BBC Four and Radio 4 Extra will stop being broadcast as linear channels with [1,000 jobs at risk](.   QUOTE OF THE DAY “This government’s dither and delay is costing the country dearly.” – Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said [Rishi Sunak’s energy bills announcement]( showed the Labour Party was “winning the battle of ideas".       Other stories you might like   [Depeche Mode keyboardist Andy Fletcher dies aged 60](   [Women and babies still at risk at scandal-hit Nottingham hospitals, watchdog warns](   [Police in Brazil filmed ‘gassing mentally ill man to death in boot of car’](       Articles available exclusively to subscribers John Rentoul, The Independent: [How will Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves cope now their main policy has been stolen?](   Other newsletters you might like [US morning headlines] US Morning Headlines Weekdays, 12pm (UK time) Written by Andrew Naughtie [Sign up]( [Climate warrior] Climate Warrior Every Wednesday, 8am (UK time) Written by climate activists [Sign up](   If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.