Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Charles Hendry and Jim Cunningham

Thursday 8th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

3. What assessment he has made of recent trends in energy prices.

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Charles Hendry)]

The Department of Energy and Climate Change publishes estimates of retail energy prices in our “Quarterly Energy Prices” publication. In general, in line with wholesale costs, most prices have gone up in recent years. However, domestic gas and electricity prices have recently both been cut by just over 2%, although prices will still be up by about 15% for gas and 8% for electricity compared with a year earlier.

[Mr Cunningham]

Is the Minister aware of the Big Switch campaign to reduce the energy bills of thousands of people through collective purchasing, and does he support it?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Charles Hendry and Jim Cunningham

Thursday 26th January 2012 Commons Chamber

[Charles Hendry]

I hope the hon. Gentleman would agree that it is important that if people are receiving a subsidy for electricity which is generated, they should have generally well insulated homes and they should not be wasting it—[Interruption.] But for many people it does help. That was a proposal that was put forward in the consultation process. We have had many responses to that. We are currently considering those with a view to making a final decision.

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

17. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on growth in the renewable energy sector.