Oral Answers to Questions

Maria Caulfield Excerpts

Thursday 17th September 2015 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con)]

19. What steps she is taking to increase competition in the energy supply market.

[Maria Caulfield (Lewes) (Con)]

21. What steps she is taking to increase competition in the energy supply market.

[The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Amber Rudd)]

There are 31 companies supplying households in Great Britain, providing greater competition —that is an increase from the 13 in 2010.

--- Later in debate ---

[Amber Rudd]

I share my hon. Friend’s views; keeping bills down is a key priority for this Government, and competition is absolutely one of the ways to achieve that. An unprecedented number of companies have entered the supply market since 2010, challenging the big six and providing customers with more choice. We expect that trend to continue, enhancing competition and keeping bills down.

[Maria Caulfield]

I welcome the Minister’s replies, but solar energy companies are having to reconsider their business plans in the light of Government decisions to eliminate subsidies to the sector. That is creating difficulties for solar companies in my Lewes constituency. What steps is she taking to ensure that all energy companies compete on a level playing field?

[Amber Rudd]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question, and I know she has a particular interest in solar companies in her constituency, having brought them to my attention before. The sector has, of course, been a great success and has deployed at significantly higher volumes than we anticipated when the subsidy schemes were set up. That is why we are looking again at the right level of subsidy, to ensure that we continue to have a thriving solar industry while ensuring that the bill payer is not disadvantaged.