Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Vinson (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 19 October 2010.

Energy: Renewables Directive

Question: I thank the Minister for his considered reply and the sagacity that he is bringing to his department. Does he not agree that, nevertheless, the Government have signed up to an EU carbon saving scheme that has very damaging unintended consequences, which are already contributing to the 4.6 million households now in fuel poverty and which will create ever rising unemployment as our fuel-intensive industries are taxed into uncompetitiveness? Even the Guardian calls the wind power feed-in tariff crazy. As energy is the lifeblood of our society, could not our new Government look again to find better ways of achieving the same ends—but by a less costly, more rational and possibly slower route than blindly following a wholly inappropriate EU commitment, which, if fully implemented, will bring immense harm to our economy? That is no joke.

Answer: I have been called many things, but ““sagacious”” is a new one for me; I am extremely indebted to my noble friend for calling me that. Whether we like it or not, we are legally bound by the EU renewable energy target of 15 per cent and this Government are not interested in breaking the law. Fuel poverty has increased because fuel prices went up by 80 per cent between 2004 and 2008. Yes, increasing our renewables will increase electricity bill prices by about £10 per year, but that is a small price to pay when you consider that fuel prices have gone up by 80 per cent.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 721 c762
Session: 2010-12
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Related items: Energy: Tariffs
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Employment EU law Fuel poverty Renewable energy
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk