Rudd warns Brexit could bring energy market ‘uncertainty’

Energy Secretary Amber Rudd has come out in favour of remaining within the European Union, and has warned that voting to leave in the upcoming referendum would plunge the energy market into uncertainty.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph on Friday Rudd said she supports Prime Minister David Cameron’s efforts to negotiate a favourable reform of the UK’s relationship with the EU, and warned that the UK risks losing influence over the outcome of energy market talks if the country opts out.

“[If you are outside of the EU] then you’re not in the room making the decisions in the same way and we’re not one of 27 influencers,” she said.

“We are probably the largest influencer in terms of setting out the plan and delivering on the energy market. So we can’t help shape it – shape it in the best way for the UK consumer and UK businesses. That would be a loss because you would be going into an area of uncertainty.

“I feel certain of the prosperity and the confidence for families as long as the UK is able to influence the outcome – which we do at the moment,” she added.

Rudd’s support of a continued place within the EU comes as Cameron continues the process of renegotiating the terms of the UK’s membership with the EU. Once these talks have concluded he will set a date for an in-out referendum and at this point Cameron has promised ministers the freedom to campaign on either side of the vote.

“I completely support the Prime Minister in getting, I hope, a better outcome with the EU because I’ve seen the advantages of the EU to consumers and businesses, but there are also areas that are frustrating, annoying and slow us down and I’d like to see something done about those.

“Particularly in the area of competitiveness, the fact the Prime Minister is renegotiating on that is very positive and so I would like to see a reformed EU, and then I’d like to campaign to stay in,” Rudd said.