Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent comparative assessment she has made of (a) her Department's forecast reductions in household gas and electricity consumption attributable to the smart meters programme and (b) reductions which will be attributable to future general improvements in the energy efficiency of dwellings and household appliances and the development of energy-saving technology.

The Department has not undertaken a comparative assessment between energy consumption reductions attributable to smart meters and those attributable to future energy efficiency developments other than smart meters. Energy efficiency measures are generally complementary and decisions on each policy are taken based on their own merits taking into account the impact of other policies.