Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Barker of Battle and Lyn Brown

Thursday 16th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab)]

The over-75s are most likely to live in homes with poor energy efficiency, most vulnerable to the cold weather and least likely to switch energy supplier, so they often pay more than they need to. Given the Prime Minister’s promise to put everyone on the cheapest tariffs, this does nothing to help 90% of the people, so will the Minister back Labour’s plan to put all over-75s on the cheapest tariff?

[Gregory Barker]

The Labour Government had 13 years in which to legislate and sort out the problem but did nothing. We have legislated to put everybody on to the cheapest tariff for their needs. This winter, more than 2 million households, including over a million of the poorest pensioners, will automatically receive the warm home discount of up to £135.

Energy Bill [Lords]

Debate between Lord Barker of Battle and Lyn Brown

Wednesday 14th September 2011 Commons Chamber

[Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab)]

I have been listening very carefully to the Minister, but I do not quite get how we will measure that, in order to ensure that we are successful.

[Gregory Barker]

As the Bill Committee and, in particular, the Chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee suggested I do, I have already met Lord Turner of Ecchinswell and the Committee on Climate Change to discuss how it might inform the guidance that the Government are preparing to help local authorities cut carbon emission in their areas. I expect that the framework and the guidance that the CCC provides will help to answer, at least in part, the hon. Lady’s question. I expect a formal proposal from the CCC shortly; when we met, Lord Turner certainly took on board how crucial it is that the Committee’s advice be completed early next year, so as to feed into the permissive guidance for local authorities being developed by the Department for Communities and Local Government.