Oral Answers to Questions

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Thursday 12th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

I strongly agree with my hon. Friend. The House recently debated the green economy, and Members on both sides of the House gave examples from their constituencies of big investments and job creation as a result of our policies and the green economy.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

There is real concern, especially among small innovative companies, that the Department’s smart meter programme, which should help reduce energy bills, is behind schedule, disorganised, has no technical standards to help small companies take part and is unco-ordinated with either the smart grid programme or spectrum release. Will the Minister provide some reassurances?

[Charles Hendry]

Let me provide the hon. Lady with reassurances. We have sped up the programme that we inherited and brought it forward by 12 months, we have been going forward in a very collaborative approach with industry to get its buy-in to all the key decisions, and we have submitted the technical specification for European Commission approval, which is happening in two stages, with one going through now and the second shortly. We see this as a very important aspect of energy efficiency and putting consumers in power, and also for real business opportunities for large and small companies alike.