Schedule 6 - Time limits on the exercise of certain powers under this Act

Energy Prices Bill – in the House of Commons at 9:00 pm on 17 October 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Votes in this debate

Amendment proposed: 2, page 36, line 17, after ”may” insert

“provide for the reduction of the amount charged for domestic electricity supply from 8 September 2022 but”— (Dr Whitehead.)

This amendment allows the domestic electricity price reduction scheme to begin from 8 September 2022.

Question put, That the amendment be made.

Division number 59 Energy Prices Bill Committee: Amendment 2

Aye: 226 MPs

No: 300 MPs

Aye: A-Z by last name

Tellers

No: A-Z by last name

Tellers

The House divided: Ayes 229, Noes 303.

Question accordingly negatived.

Schedules 6 and 7 agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

Bill reported, without amendment.

Third Reading

King’s consent signified.

Photo of Jacob Rees-Mogg Jacob Rees-Mogg The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 9:54, 17 October 2022

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

I merely thank everyone in all parts of the House for their participation: the official Opposition, the SNP, the Liberal Democrats and, of course, Conservative Members. The support from Northern Ireland is particularly welcome, as the Bill was essentially required for Northern Ireland. I thank the House for its kindness and expedition in completing all stages of the Bill so swiftly.

Photo of Ed Miliband Ed Miliband Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero

I acknowledge the words of the Secretary of State. This is important legislation to get onto the statute book. I will make one point: there are many issues still to be resolved in secondary legislation, and I hope and expect—I know from our conversations that he will take this seriously—that there will be co-operation on those issues.

Photo of Alan Brown Alan Brown Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Energy and Climate Change) 9:55, 17 October 2022

Obviously, we did not vote against the Bill and we will not do so on Third Reading either. We recognise that people need support, but the Government need to recognise that people need even more support after today as the Chancellor has pulled what was meant to be a two-year support package. We should bear in mind that the Prime Minister said that the £2,500 average bill support package was supposed to stop energy bills for households rising to £6,000 a year. By default, today’s decision by the Chancellor means that if there is no further support the average household bill will, according to the Prime Minister, rise to £6,000. That is unsustainable and that is why we tabled new clause 18. It is imperative that the Government come back with a support package and clear analysis that shows that they understand the gravity of the situation.

I would be happy to work with the Government, but although the Secretary of State was kind enough to thank everybody for their contributions I did not hear many takeaways for improvements to the Bill, to be honest, but I hope that that will change as we go forward.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed.