**Greater Manchester Unions Urge Andy Burnham to Tax Banks for Energy Bill Relief**
**Manchester, UK** – Trade unions are calling on Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to advocate for a new tax on bank profits, with the revenue earmarked to help households struggling with high energy bills. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) suggests that reinstating a bank surcharge, which they say was previously reversed, could generate an estimated £9 billion over four years.
The proposal comes as families and individuals continue to face significant financial pressures from the ongoing cost of living crisis, with energy prices remaining a major concern across the region and nationally.
According to the TUC, a bank surcharge that was scaled back or removed by the government should be brought back into effect. They argue that while ordinary people are grappling with rising costs, major banks have continued to report substantial profits, making them a suitable target for increased taxation to fund essential public support.
By putting the demand to Mayor Burnham, unions aim to leverage his influence as a prominent regional leader to push for national policy change. They suggest that the estimated £9 billion in revenue could provide a crucial financial boost to alleviate energy poverty and support households struggling to pay their bills.
The TUC’s call highlights growing pressure on policymakers to explore all avenues for funding measures that can ease the burden on consumers amidst persistent economic challenges. It remains to be seen how Mayor Burnham will respond to the proposal and whether it gains traction in the wider political debate.
