Household Bills

Energy and Climate Change – in the House of Commons at 9:30 am on 11th July 2013.

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Photo of John Cryer John Cryer Labour, Leyton and Wanstead 9:30 am, 11th July 2013

What steps he is taking to help households with their energy bills.

Photo of Edward Davey Edward Davey The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave to Ian Austin.

Photo of John Cryer John Cryer Labour, Leyton and Wanstead

In the past few months, coal imports have risen sharply again. That creates questions about the future security of energy supplies. Does that not imply that there will be upward pressure on household bills over and above what is there already?

Photo of Edward Davey Edward Davey The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

No, it does not, because of the actions of this Government. The fact that we have made the announcements we have on the capacity market will ensure that the supply is there. If we had not made those announcements, there was a danger that wholesale prices would go up and peak at times of low margins, hitting consumers. The fact that we have taken action shows that we are on the consumer’s side.