I beg to ask leave to present a petition:

To the Honourable The Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, the petition of residents in Coventry, Sheweth That the recent announcement of VAT increases on Gas and Electricity bills has filled the people of Coventry with deep concern because of the consequential hardship these increases will have on Old Age Pensioners, One-Parent Families and, in general, poorer members of society. They believe these increases to be to the long-term detriment of the least well off people of Coventry and the nation.

A total of 2,300 people in Coventry have expressed their concern by signing the petition because they feel that the increases are neither economically nor socially justified.

Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House will take measures to see that these Increases will not proceed because of the social and economic hardship for many Pensioners, One-Parent Families and Communities.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, etc.