Oral Answers to Questions

Dominic Raab Excerpts
Tuesday 21st May 2024

(2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I thank the hon. Lady for her question, but I do not think that consumers will. The TUC itself has highlighted the potential £61 billion to £82 billion cost that will be landed either at the taxpayer’s doorstep or directly on to consumers’ bills, which is nothing to be thankful for.

Dominic Raab Portrait Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

In 1985, just before privatisation, 4.2% of total consumer spending was on energy bills. Between 2000 and 2020, that dropped to between 2% and 3%. Even last year during the war in Ukraine, it only hit 3.6%. Does my hon. Friend agree that, as he has already said, the suggestion from the hon. Member for Blaydon (Liz Twist) would wallop consumers?

Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

We have to work with businesses to secure investment. We have secured £300 billion for low-carbon technologies since 2010, as we boost UK energy production, our energy security and, ultimately, deliver cheaper bills for consumers.