Oral Answers to Questions

Kelvin Hopkins Excerpts

Thursday 12th July 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davey]

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman. It is very good news that jobs are being created. The story of onshore, offshore, the renewables industry and our energy policies generally is to bring forward new investment and jobs. We are proud of that, and will continue with that support.

[Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab)]

6. What steps he is taking to help households improve their energy efficiency.

[Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab)]

7. What steps he is taking to help households improve their energy efficiency.

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker)]

Our flagship energy efficiency measure is the green deal, which is supported by the £1.3 billion per annum energy company obligation. We are making very good progress towards its introduction, which starts this autumn, and we expect roll-out to grow strongly in 2013 and beyond, bringing new entrants, greater competition, consumer choice and innovation to this growing market.

[Kelvin Hopkins]

A crash programme to insulate every home in Britain would save millions of people money on their fuel bills and keep them warm in the winter. It would also be billions of pounds cheaper than investing in nuclear power. Will the Government undertake a rigorous cost-benefit study of these alternatives?

[Gregory Barker]

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Energy efficiency is a no-brainer. That is why we have given unprecedented importance and attention to it and for the first time have created within the Department an office of energy efficiency deployment. The green deal will involve a far greater range of interventions in people’s homes, unlike previous programmes, which were very limited, so I think the green deal will achieve the aims he seeks.