Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Oral Answers to Questions

Simon Hughes Excerpts
Thursday 8th March 2012

(12 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Ed Davey Portrait Mr Davey
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We need to balance a range of priorities in energy policy, including energy security, affordable bills and tackling climate change. That is why this Government have a portfolio approach to energy generation. We are looking at low-carbon technologies, including wind power, carbon capture and storage, and new nuclear.

Simon Hughes Portrait Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) (LD)
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6. What steps he is taking to promote competition in the energy market.

Charles Hendry Portrait The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Charles Hendry)
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We are working with Ofgem to deliver clearer bills and simpler tariffs, to help consumers engage effectively in the energy market. We have cut red tape for small suppliers to help them compete, and we are looking at Ofgem’s recently published proposals to increase liquidity in the wholesale market.

Simon Hughes Portrait Simon Hughes
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When Ministers and I were in opposition and Labour was in power, we spent much of our time trying to get the Labour Government to make sure energy companies understood the simple principle that when energy prices went up they were justified in increasing prices to our constituents, but when those prices went down they should also bring their prices down for our constituents. Will the Minister assure us that the Government will force Ofgem and the energy companies to understand the rule that consumers must benefit when prices go down, just as they are penalised when they go up?