Downing Street has placed the minister on resignation watch, according to reports. POLITICO has approached Bowie for comment.
Bowie said that he will be working with Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross — who confirmed he would not vote for the windfall tax extension — to “resolve” the issue.
The government introduced the Energy Profits Levy in 2022 to bring in tax revenue from the soaring profits of fossil fuel companies. Hunt previously uplifted the rate and confirmed Wednesday that he would extend the tax by another year to 2029, raising an additional £1.5 billion.
One energy industry figure and a government official told POLITICO ahead of the budget that Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho also fought back against the move.
