Written question asked by Neil Parish (Conservative) on Friday, 25 November 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 November 2011. It was answered by Charles Hendry (Conservative) on Thursday, 1 December 2011 on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Energy: Meters

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the statement of 23 November 2011, Official Report, column 299, on annual energy statement, what assessment he has made of the effect on annual energy bills of the Government's smart metering roll-out programme.

Answer: We expect consumers to benefit from lower energy bills as a result of the smart meters rollout. This benefit is driven by consumers using energy more efficiently and by suppliers passing through net cost savings. For example, suppliers will be able to greatly reduce the number of premises they visit. We have assessed the price and bill impacts of the rollout for each year up to 2030; the updated impact assessment, published in August 2011, estimates that the smart meter rollout will reduce the average household electricity and gas bill by £22 in 2020 and by £42 in 2030.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 83865; 536 c1036W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Annual Energy Statement
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Subjects: Energy Meters
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk