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Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill

The hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker) referred to the provisions as timid. I know what he means, in the sense that they try to introduce some modest steps, although I am bound to say to my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, North and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz), who introduced the Bill, that they will represent a giant step forward in terms of microgeneration and the climate change agenda. I have been reflecting on our lengthy discussions in Committee on the role of local authorities in tackling climate change and alleviating fuel poverty. During that interesting debate, it seemed to me that little of substance divided us. I certainly tried to strike the appropriate balance between central Government strategy and local authority responsibilities. I am keen that there should be no misunderstanding about the Government’s commitment to supporting local councils on these issues, which is why I am introducing new clause 4. New clause 4 places an obligation on the Secretary of State to publish a report on ways in which local authorities can improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate fuel poverty. Local authorities would then have to have regard to the report within the exercise of their existing functions. The report will in effect be a joint effort between all interested Departments. As we heard in Committee, there are many examples of local authorities developing innovative policies to achieve real reductions in fuel poverty and greenhouse gas emissions. The work by Merton, Woking and my own borough of Croydon is well known in that regard. The report required by new clause 4 will help all local councils to learn from those exemplars. It will support them in developing their approaches to reducing carbon emissions and alleviating fuel poverty, giving them the flexibility to adopt the best local solutions for their communities. It has already been mentioned that the Local Government Association has indicated its broad support for a clause along these lines.