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In 2015 it was all about consumer bills and price caps, but in December’s general election the main parties are slugging it out to establish their climate change credentials. David Blackman explores the differing positions on the areas of most concern for the utilities sector.
6 years ago
The Green Party has unveiled a £100 billion per annum to achieve a carbon neutral Britain by the end of the next decade.
Energy UK has told the political parties it is crucial to agree new funding models for large-scale, low-carbon infrastructure - such as nuclear plants - in its wide-ranging manifesto for the upcoming election. The document also looks at stimulus for the rollout of electric vehicles and more stringent controls to ensure homes are energy efficient.
In the official launch of Labour’s election campaign, Jeremy Corbyn has reiterated his desire to renationalise the water industry and warned radical action is needed to tackle the climate emergency. However, there was little sign of the party’s plans to “bring energy home”.
The minister overseeing the smart meter programme has predicted that bills for customers using conventional devices will rise as they become more expensive to operate. Lord Duncan also warned that suppliers failing to hit the revised rollout deadline of 2024 could be subject to fines and become a target for climate change protests.
Environment secretary Theresa Villiers has assured MPs that there would be a sufficient supply of water treatment chemicals if the UK left the EU without a withdrawal agreement, and that the planned Office for Environmental Protection will be completely independent from government.
Pressure had been mounting over the past year to scrap the existing network of sector
