Stoke-on-Trent MPs have responded to the government announcement that VAT will be cut from household electricity bills.

The tax cut is set to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from October 1, in time to impact the next Ofgem price cap.

The government has said that the cost of this immediate action for this financial year – taken now, before the next price cap – is being funded from the cancellation of the Digital ID programme and any further action, including on funding for longer-term measures, will be taken at the Budget alongside an OBR forecast.

Gareth Snell, Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent Central has welcomed the announcement.

He said: "Across Stoke-on-Trent Central, residents have told me time and time again that their household energy bills keep rising leaving them struggling.

"Over the past 2 years, I have consistently advocated for more government support to deal with rising energy costs for both households and businesses.

"I am pleased to see that one of the first announcements from the new PM is a commitment to tackle the cost-of-living crisis to give people more 'breathing space'."

David Williams, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent North and Kidsgrove has also welcomed the announcement, saying it will provide relief to families in places like Kidsgrove, Tunstall, Goldenhill and across the area.

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He said: "I've lived locally for my whole life, and I know how many families here have spent the last few winters watching the meter and dreading the next bill. Taking VAT off electricity from October puts real money back in people's pockets – around £45 off the price cap – right as the cold sets in.

"This won't fix everything overnight, but it's breathing space that families in places like Nutt Lane, Burslem and Ball Green badly need. After years of our area being taken for granted, it's proof we finally have a Labour government on our side and prepared to act."