Examination of Witnesses

Part of Growth and Infrastructure Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 10:30 am on 20 November 2012.

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Photo of Simon Danczuk Simon Danczuk Labour, Rochdale 10:30, 20 November 2012

Miss Knight, your members generate more than 90% of UK electricity and supply up to 26 million homes, I am given to understand. I am particularly interested in clause 22, “Postponement of compilation of rating lists to 2017”. I am also interested in your letter to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, and to the Business, Innovation and Skills Minister, who joins us this morning. You wrote on 29 October:

“Government policy and regulatory certainty is crucial. The decision to postpone appears to have been made without consultation and is likely to have an adverse impact on many of our members…there is a risk of plant closure. High business rates may well lead to higher wholesale prices, which will ultimately be passed through to business and residential customers. This will not be welcomed at a time when household budgets are already squeezed…We would urge that this matter is reconsidered”.

You conclude by saying that you would welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue. Have the Ministers come forward and discussed the matter with you?