Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ed Davey and Mike Crockart

Thursday 11th July 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mike Crockart (Edinburgh West) (LD)]

Next Wednesday I will hold a community energy event in my constituency, with the local council and local housing association among many others. Does my right hon. Friend agree that rather than carping about the green deal and perversely hoping for its failure, every member of the House has a duty to promote it and ensure that their constituents get all the help available?

[Mr Davey]

My hon. Friend makes a good point and we must promote not just the green deal as part of the community energy strategy, but all aspects of community energy. Right hon. and hon. Members may be aware that we published a call for evidence last month for a future community energy strategy, looking at energy efficiency, energy generation and purchasing energy. I urge Members to talk to their constituencies and to contribute to the formation of Britain’s first ever community energy strategy.

Petrol Prices

Debate between Ed Davey and Mike Crockart

Wednesday 15th May 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on getting the subject of nuclear power into this statement. Some of the tests in our negotiations with EDF on a contract for difference in relation to the proposed nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point C are to ensure that we get value for money and that the proposal is affordable.

[Mike Crockart (Edinburgh West) (LD)]

While the European Commission’s involvement is welcome, will my right hon. Friend outline what more UK authorities, such as the Competition Commission and the OFT, can do to ensure that fuel duty cuts made by the Government end up in the pockets of motorists rather than in the coffers of oil companies?

[Mr Davey]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. UK authorities are working extremely closely with European competition authorities. Indeed, they accompanied them on their raids of various companies’ offices. They are active in this investigation, and I hope he takes reassurance from that.

Energy Bill

Debate between Ed Davey and Mike Crockart

Wednesday 19th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

I am afraid that I want to make a little more progress—this even applies to my hon. Friends on the Liberal Democrat Benches.

[Mike Crockart (Edinburgh West) (LD)]

rose—

[Mr Davey]

As I know him so well, I will give way to my hon. Friend, but I will then make some progress.

[Mike Crockart]

I am merely astounded by the nationalists’ interest in the renewables obligation for 2017, given that they hope that Scotland will be independent by that point.

[Mr Davey]

My hon. Friend makes a very good point. Perhaps the nationalists have given up before the referendum has even started.

It has been pointed out to me that my constituency neighbour and good friend, the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Zac Goldsmith), wishes to intervene, and, given his knowledge on this subject, I would like to take his intervention.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ed Davey and Mike Crockart

Thursday 13th December 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

It is great news because it shows how competition can assist in this process. I refer the hon. Lady to Ofgem’s retail market review analysis, which showed that customers on prepayment meters can save an average of £65 and up to £152 by switching to the cheapest deal within that prepayment method. The proposals we are taking forward really will help people on prepayment meters.

[Mike Crockart (Edinburgh West) (LD)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the best way to reduce energy bills is to reduce energy use? With that in mind, can he tell us whether he has reached an agreement with the green investment bank to help to fund the green deal?

[Mr Davey]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: when it comes to energy bills, saving energy is the best way to save money. The green investment bank is engaging with my Department and the Green Deal Finance Company over the support it will give to the green deal. I cannot make an announcement today. All I can say is that the green investment bank is being helpful on the green deal, as on many other areas, and that it is a victory for this Government that we have introduced the green investment bank.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Ed Davey and Mike Crockart

Thursday 1st November 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

The key purpose of electricity market reform is to allow the market to make decisions of that sort. As the hon. Gentleman will know, my Ministers and I are extremely supportive of demand reduction and energy efficiency measures, which have a critical role to play in our energy mix, but we also need to bring in new supply. We face rising electricity demand as we electrify the transport and heating sectors in the years ahead to meet our climate change targets, even if we have the most ambitious energy efficiency policies imaginable, so we need both a supply-side and a demand-side response.

[Mike Crockart (Edinburgh West) (LD)]

Does the Secretary of State agree that although demand reduction is essential, demand balancing must also receive a bit more attention, and intelligent smart meters in homes would make an important contribution to that?

[Mr Davey]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Sometimes in energy debates people think there is one particular solution or technology. The truth is we need a diverse-mix balanced approach on both the demand and the supply sides, and new technologies such as smart grids and smart meters have an important role to play.