Written question asked by Lord Vinson (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Marland (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 July 2010.

Energy: Carbon Emissions

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure consumers are informed of how much they are paying through energy prices towards the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target as part of the United Kingdom's obligations to meet European Union targets.

Answer: The Government agrees that transparency about the costs falling to suppliers from meeting their supplier obligation and how they pass these costs on is important. The obligation is currently set as a carbon saving target. It does not require any specific levels of financial support, or as a result, any reporting of such information. The estimated cost impact on consumers is published as part of the impact assessment associated with the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target. The regulator Ofgem captures this information in consumer factsheets, regularly published, on household energy bills.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 1418; 720 c315-6WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Disclosure of information Consumers Costs Energy Prices Carbon emissions reduction target
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk