Great British Energy: Nuclear Development
Debate between Lord Wilson of Sedgefield and Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)
The preferred bidder is Rolls-Royce and I think we are ahead of the curve in all this. We are investing in the technology and we want to see it coming online in the medium to long term—some time in the 2030s. This technology will revolutionise nuclear power in the country, so that we can spread out nuclear technology around the country, build the supply chain and generate power for over 3 million homes. I think we are ahead of the curve: we know what we are doing on this and we are going to generate that energy in the future for the country.
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)
My Lords, the Minister said that everybody around the House supports nuclear. No, the Green Party does not support nuclear. It is a dinosaur technology and it is really very expensive, when you look at the planetary impact and the cost to the Exchequer. It is going to be a disaster and it will be overtaken by sea-level rises as well. Why do the Government not take some good advice on this instead of believing in nuclear all the time?
Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)
I appreciate that point of view, but I think it is a bit on the fringe of what this House and people in the industry think. We have to remember that once Sizewell C is geared up and producing energy, we expect it to make a saving. The noble Baroness can turn her nose up at this, but once it is online it is going to generate savings for the economy and consumers of £2 billion a year over 60 years. I think that is a good saving for the economy and for the British people. It is something that we need to continue to invest in.
Social Energy Tariff
Debate between Lord Wilson of Sedgefield and Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)
There is a levy for the warm home discount, but that works out at only £1.50 a month per household, which is not that high considering how many people it takes out of fuel poverty.
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)
My Lords, does the Minister agree that spending more money on home insulation would be a more permanent solution to the energy problems that low-income families face?
Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)
The noble Baroness makes a valuable point. We will invest £13.2 billion in the warm homes plan over the spending review period, in line with our manifesto commitment. This builds on last year’s initial settlement of £3.4 billion, and we have taken a major step forward in our plans to upgrade up to 5 million homes over this Parliament, cutting energy bills for good and fulfilling our manifesto commitment to deliver the warm homes plan.