Fuel Poverty

Part of Energy and Climate Change – in the House of Commons at 10:30 am on 8 April 2010.

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Photo of David Kidney David Kidney Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Energy and Climate Change 10:30, 8 April 2010

The hon. Gentleman, who is my near neighbour in Staffordshire, is right that there were sustained price rises between 2004 and 2008 that have increased fuel poverty. That is a matter of concern to all hon. Members. We are adapting our policies to cope with that, not least, I hope, by obtaining the House's final approval tonight for the Energy Bill, which will allow us to introduce social price support for the poorest households. What is not necessary is what I think the hon. Gentleman is talking about: referral of the whole energy market to the Competition Commission. This is a time when we need sustained investment in the future of our infrastructure, and that would only delay it.