Oral Answers to Questions

Douglas Ross Excerpts

Tuesday 11th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Clive Lewis (Norwich South) (Lab)]

11. What plans he has to help ensure that solar power is (a) accessible to and (b) affordable for all households.

[Douglas Ross (Moray) (Con)]

19. What plans he has to help ensure that solar power is (a) accessible to and (b) affordable for all households.

[Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)]

20. What plans he has to help ensure that solar power is (a) accessible to and (b) affordable for all households.

--- Later in debate ---

[Chris Skidmore]

The hon. Gentleman mentioned the drop in solar installations, which came about at the end of the feed-in tariff scheme. March was a record month for installations in the last two years, as we saw a rush for applications before the scheme closed. We had a question earlier about fuel poverty, and the point about the feed-in tariff is that, although it was important at the time and helped 850,000 people to use solar panels on their households, it was going to cost £30 billion, which would mean an average of £14 on every single household’s bill. We must now look into moving forward so that we can take a locally adopted position and ensure that we can generate a market.

[Douglas Ross]

I will try to be more positive than the hon. Member for Norwich South (Clive Lewis), but there has been concern among the industry, including AS Solar, about the proposed changes for reduced rate VAT for energy-saving materials. This presents a roadblock for many of the 60% of households that hope one day to get photovoltaic and battery storage, so will the Minister meet me urgently to discuss the matter to ensure that the solar industry gets this support from the Government?

[Chris Skidmore]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising those points, which reflect what the hon. Member for Norwich South (Clive Lewis) mentioned in the previous question. This obviously comes on the back of a specific European Court of Justice ruling. I understand Members’ concerns and sympathise with the industry, but I reassure the House that VAT continues to be zero rated for installations on new build housing. I will happily meet my hon. Friend to discuss the opportunities for future change.