[{"topic":"Energy","id":"44179","proposer":"24904","edm":"47","session":"2012-13","title":"Reducing Fuel Bills Through Energy Efficiency","text":"That this House recognises that energy bills are causing immense financial hardship, with one in four households struggling to heat their homes; believes that cold, badly insulated homes damage the health of the most vulnerable, including older people, children and people with disabilities, costing the NHS almost a billion pounds a year; further believes homes can be made warm and cheaper to heat with high quality insulation and energy efficiency measures, that this is a cost-effective, fair and permanent way to reduce fuel bills and tackle fuel poverty, and will generate many thousands of jobs and cut carbon emissions; and so calls on the Government to use revenues raised from the European Emissions Trading Scheme and the carbon floor price to provide additional resources for policies to deliver energy efficiency in homes, especially those housing the fuel poor.","date":"2012-05-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"44070","proposer":"13864","edm":"2962","session":"2010-12","title":"Cost Of Fuel","text":"That this House notes the rising cost of fuel with special note that diesel has risen to over 1.60 perlitrein Northern Ireland; understands that people cannot sustain such increases; calls on the Government to bring about a fuel stabiliser as a matter of urgency and effect immediate steps working with oil companies and retailers to ensure that the price of fuel begins to decrease and stabilise all over the UK; and further calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reconsider the proposed three pence increase in August.","date":"2012-04-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"43664","proposer":"24721","edm":"2569","session":"2010-12","title":"Big Energy Week","text":"That this House supports Big Energy Week, which runs from 16 to 21 January 2012 and is designed to help consumers to save money on their energy bills; notes that the recent rises in energy prices are a serious worry for constituents who are looking for ways to cut their household bills; congratulates Citizens Advice on co-ordinating the week; recognises the contribution of the many other consumer organisations, energy suppliers, switching sites and government agencies who are working together to organise events around the country and to make information, advice and assistance available to energy consumers on all aspects of saving money on fuel bills; trusts that all hon.Members will want to get involved in locally planned activities, thereby directly helping their struggling constituents; and calls on the Government and other interested bodies to do all they can to help people save money on their energy bills in these difficult times.","date":"2012-01-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"43639","proposer":"10630","edm":"2544","session":"2010-12","title":"Fiscal Incentives For Energy Efficiency","text":"That this House welcomes the recommendation by the Environmental Audit Committee in its July 2011 report Budget 2011 and Environmental Taxes that `the Government should consider providing tax incentives, such as a council tax rebate or stamp duty discount, in next year's Budget to support the take-up of the Green Deal'; further welcomes too the commitment in Budget 2011 to `act to incentivise take-up of the Green Deal before it is introduced in 2012'; notes that the existing reduced rate offive per cent. VAT for energy-saving products excludes energy efficient boilers and windows and passive flue gas heat recovery systems; is concerned that the Landlords' Energy Saving Allowance (LESA) is claimed by less than 0.2 per cent. of UK landlords; therefore calls on the Government to introduce in Budget 2012 a package of fiscal incentives to encourage householders and landlords to install energy efficiency measures, to include afive per cent. VAT rate on all flue heat recovery installations and alsoon `A' rated boilers and `B' rated windows installed by Green Deal-accredited installers, a stamp duty rebate for purchasers making energy efficiency improvements to their home and an extended and increased LESA to incentivise early improvements in the private rented sector before the introduction of the minimum energy efficiency standard; and further calls for an early consultation on a revised system of Council Tax banding that reflects the energy efficiency rating of properties, accompanied by mechanisms to enable low income households to make improvements at low or no cost.","date":"2011-12-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"43597","proposer":"12005","edm":"2502","session":"2010-12","title":"Green Deal And VAT","text":"That this House recognises the overall costs of the Green Deal to consumers including product costs, interest rates and value added tax (VAT) will have an impact on future Green Deal uptake; and calls on the Government to commit to restricting the VAT on products used in the Green Deal to five per cent. being the same level as the energy these products are designed to save.","date":"2011-12-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"43515","proposer":"10684","edm":"2424","session":"2010-12","title":"Raise The Rate Campaign On Debt Blocking Of Pre-Paid Meter Customers","text":"That this House calls on Ofgem urgently to raise the level of debt below which pre-paid meter (PPM) customers can switch their energy supplier from the current level of 200 to 350, thereby preventing debt blocking from occurring by allowing indebted PPM customers to switch to a cheaper supplier helping them to pay off their debt if they owe up to 350; notes that Library figures suggest that over 200,000 people could stand to benefit if this rate is raised; acknowledges Ofgem's own figures that show the average level of customer debt has risen from 200 in 2006 and now stands at well over 300 for both gas and electricity customers; and further calls on the Government also to acknowledge these figures and urge Ofgem to raise the rate.","date":"2011-11-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"43362","proposer":"11221","edm":"2279","session":"2010-12","title":"Use Of Enforcement Powers On Energy Companies By Ofgem","text":"That this House calls on Ofgem to not refrain from using their ability to impose a maximum financial penalty of up to 10 per cent. of an energy company's turnover if a company is seen to be acting anti-competitively; recognises that recent energy price rises by the big six are clear acts of anti-competitive behaviour; further calls on the Government, who would collect the fine into a consolidated fund via the Treasury, to enforce this financial penalty and redistribute this money to hard pressed customers this winter; and further calls on the Government or Ofgem at the very least to be seen to be considering this option as a means to give the big six pause for thought.","date":"2011-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"43363","proposer":"10428","edm":"2280","session":"2010-12","title":"Energy Efficiency And Carbon Reductions","text":"That this House believes it is essential that the UK Parliament passes all necessary legislation to ensure a great reduction in the nation's current carbon emission levels, improve energy security and create new jobs in the energy and green industries; acknowledges that in order to meet targets laid down in the Climate Change Act 2008, the Green Deal and other energy savings policies, such actions need to be linked to carbon budgets, a scenario which clearly pointsto the need for an immediate prioritisationof strategies favourable towards actions on energy efficiency savings, these being both the cheapest and quickest ways of achieving significant results; and therefore calls on the Government to exhibit greater levels of ambition towards the delivery of such outcomes than it so far hasshown in relation to the major energy companies and towards the eradication of fuel poverty in the UK.","date":"2011-10-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"43329","proposer":"13852","edm":"2247","session":"2010-12","title":"Winter Fuel Payment","text":"That this House recognises the serious problem of fuel poverty in the UK, especially amongst older people; acknowledges the adverse impact that rising fuel bills are likely to have on the ability of older people to keep warm and healthy; and calls on the Government to support Age Sector Platform's call to maintain the winter fuel payment this winter at its current level of 250 for pensioner households where someone is between 60 and 79 years old and 400 for those aged 80 and over.","date":"2011-10-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"43171","proposer":"10292","edm":"2100","session":"2010-12","title":"Ofgem And The Retail Gas And Electricity Market","text":"That this House welcomes Ofgem's recently announced plans to press ahead with a radical overhaul of the retail energy market; notes the support from consumers, Consumer Focus, Which?, Citizens Advice, Age UK and uSwitch along with independent generators and small energy suppliers; further notes the large increases in retail energy prices over the past few years which has left many consumers facing significant additional costs; and calls on the Government to implement a sustainable energy strategy that prioritises retail fuel price affordability.","date":"2011-07-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"43083","proposer":"10684","edm":"2012","session":"2010-12","title":"Energy Prices And Winter Fuel Allowance","text":"That this House opposes the energy price rises by companies like Scottish Power; calls on the other energy companies not to follow suit; furthercalls on the Government to reverse its decision in the March budget to cut the winter fuel allowance by up to 100 for the poorest pensioners as a result of these price hikes; demands more to be done to prevent UK energy customers being so at the mercy of energy companies; and therefore urges the Government to move urgently to help not hinder the poorest energy consumers in our country.","date":"2011-06-30","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"42837","proposer":"10658","edm":"1777","session":"2010-12","title":"Sustainable Energy (Local Plans) Bill","text":"That this House believes that it is vitally important to involve local authorities in efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable energy in their area; notes that the Sustainable Energy (Local Plans) Bill, introduced by a cross-party group of hon. Members, will set in motion that process by giving councils a greater role in drawing up and implementing sustainable energy plans that will help combat climate change, protect energy security and alleviate fuel poverty; and therefore supports the measures in the Bill and hopes they will be enacted soon.","date":"2011-05-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"42822","proposer":"11093","edm":"1765","session":"2010-12","title":"Price Of Solid Fuel","text":"That this House notes many people struggled with their fuel bills this winter; further notes that the cost of solid fuel is often overlooked; and calls on the Government to create a strategy that ensures that everyone can afford to keep their home warm.","date":"2011-04-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"42804","proposer":"10521","edm":"1748","session":"2010-12","title":"Zero Carbon Taskforce And Wwf-Uk","text":"That this House regrets the decision of the environmental charity WWF-UK to resign from the Government's Zero Carbon Taskforce whose remit is to make all new homes zero-carbon by 2016, with the target meaning that such homes would produce no net emissions; acknowledges the criticism made by the charity following the disclosure in documents released by the Government that energy used to power appliances such as televisions, dishwashers and cooking equipment would no longer be included in the regulations; notes that the change was made without any consultation; and calls on the Government to revoke this decision so that the Zero Carbon Taskforce can continue its work towards reaching the previous 2016 targets.","date":"2011-04-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"42688","proposer":"10096","edm":"1637","session":"2010-12","title":"Green Deal And Microgeneration","text":"That this House notes that the proposed legislation setting up the Green Deal enables microgeneration to be part of this new scheme for making homes more energy efficient and reducing emissions of carbon dioxide; and therefore hopes that, when the details of the Green Deal are published, microgeneration technologies will be part of the final scheme, not only because they can assist with reducing emissions, but also because they can help in alleviating fuel poverty and in increasing public awareness of energy matters.","date":"2011-03-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"42689","proposer":"10096","edm":"1638","session":"2010-12","title":"Green Deal And Passive Flue Gas Technology","text":"That this House welcomes the support of the Minister for Climate Change, the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle, for passive flue gas heat recovery devices, an innovative British technology that utilises the waste heat from boilers to provide hot water; notes that the proposed legislation setting up the Green Deal scheme enables this technology to be part of Green Deal; and hopes that when the details of the scheme are published they will include this technology, not only because it can assist with reducing emissions, but also because it can help in alleviating fuel poverty.","date":"2011-03-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"42413","proposer":"24966","edm":"1388","session":"2010-12","title":"Repair Of The War Memorial In Heysham By Edf Energy Apprentices","text":"That this House notes the damage to the War Memorial Plaque in Heysham as a result of an attempted theft in May 2010; further notes that the apprentices of the Heysham power stations voluntarily repaired the plaque to help alleviate some of the stress of the bereaved families; thanks the individuals concerned, Josh Thornton, Josh Garthwaite, Damien Murphy, Matthew Grannell, Andrew Dugdale, James Hodgson, Shaun Bibby, Richard Docton, Tom Cunliffe, Stuart Lane and Gavin Beckett; further thanks their instructors Edward Case and Kevin Demain; and hopes that others from across the country will learn from the good example these young men have set.","date":"2011-02-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"42278","proposer":"24917","edm":"1263","session":"2010-12","title":"Heating Oil","text":"That this House notes that a large number of people living in rural and off-gas communities rely on oil to heat their homes and is deeply concerned about those who were left without heating oil deliveries over Christmas during one of the coldest winters on record; further notes with concern that the price of home heating fuel has increased, in some cases by over 100 per cent. in the last two months, whilst the price of crude oil has increased by 10 per cent. over the same period, and condemns such actions by fuel companies, who are taking advantage of vulnerable people in the extreme weather conditions to make excessive profits; and calls on the Government to meet the oil companies and take tough, urgent and decisive action on this matter.","date":"2011-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"42267","proposer":"11816","edm":"1252","session":"2010-12","title":"Fuel Price Stabiliser (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes with concern that fuel duty has reached a record high in the UK, that the UK has the second highest diesel price in Europe, that the increase in fuel duty is bad for business during this time of recovery and that the increase in fuel duty is estimated to cost OECD countries 0.5 per cent. of their combined GDP; and calls on the Government to support the call from the Federation of Small Businesses to introduce a fuel duty stabiliser as a priority.","date":"2011-01-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"42254","proposer":"24966","edm":"1241","session":"2010-12","title":"Fuel Price Stabiliser","text":"That this House notes recent calls in the press for the Government to implement a fuel price stabiliser; further notes that such calls have been made against a backdrop of financial problems for the haulage industry; believes that such a stabiliser would be a pragmatic way to help both private and commercial drivers over short-term increasesin crude oil prices; and calls on the Government to consider implementing this policy as soon as practically possible.","date":"2011-01-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"42223","proposer":"24966","edm":"1210","session":"2010-12","title":"Fuel Price Increases","text":"That this House notes with concern the recent increases in fuel prices; further notes that this increase has made it hard for haulage companies across the country; demands that oil producers end the OPEC cartel that pushes up prices and restricts the free market; further demands that the Government looks urgently at fuel tax cuts to help all drivers and essential user rebates specifically to help businesses such as hauliers; and believes that fuel price reductions will help the economy and give much needed respite to the hard-pressed haulage industry.","date":"2010-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"42189","proposer":"11093","edm":"1177","session":"2010-12","title":"Price Of Heating Oil","text":"That this House notes that many people rely on oil to heat their homes; further notes that the average price for heating oil tends to be less than 50 pence per litre; is concerned that the average price of heating oil has shot up to 70 pence per litre and that some people are being forced to paytwo poundsper litre; and calls on the Government and suppliers to take steps to reduce the cost of heating oil and ensure everyone can affordto keep their home warm.","date":"2010-12-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"41951","proposer":"11093","edm":"962","session":"2010-12","title":"Winter Fuel Allowance And British Citizens Living Abroad","text":"That this House notes that British citizens living in Spain can claim the winter fuel allowance; believe this defeats the point of the winter fuel allowance; and calls on the Government to examine changing the allowance so that it is not paid to British citizens resident in countries with warm winters.","date":"2010-11-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"41849","proposer":"24966","edm":"868","session":"2010-12","title":"Code Of Practice For Park Homes","text":"That this House notes with concern the plight of park home owners in Morecambe and Lunesdale; and urges the Government seriously and urgently to consider implementing a code of conduct relating to the price charged by park home site owners to the park home owners for the supply of gas and electricity, to be enforced by Ofgem.","date":"2010-10-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"41650","proposer":"10428","edm":"690","session":"2010-12","title":"Energy Security And Green Economy Bill","text":"That this House is aware that poorly insulated and heated homes make people ill, cost a lot to heat and contribute to climate change emissions; recognises that today in Britain overfour million households live in fuel poverty with this situation especially bad in the private rented sector; believes that to combat such unacceptable scenarios, it is now time to set legal minimum energy efficiency standards in all rented homes to ensure their tenants are protected from such poverty, high energy bills and poor health; and calls on the Government to include in its forthcoming Energy Security and Green Economy Bill measures to restrict the letting of properties which have unacceptable low energy performance levels, introduce beneficial tax incentives to improve energy efficiency in rented properties and give local authorities the right to know the energy ratings of all rented properties in their area.","date":"2010-09-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"41559","proposer":"11267","edm":"602","session":"2010-12","title":"Accenture And Redundancies","text":"That this House deplores Accenture's decision to offshore much of the IT work it has from Scottish Power, making 60 per cent. of Scottish Power's outsourced IT workforce redundant.","date":"2010-07-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"41434","proposer":"10288","edm":"481","session":"2010-12","title":"Winter Fuel Poverty","text":"That this House recognises the serious problem of fuel poverty in this country, especially amongst older people; is concerned that the excess winter death rate rose by 49 per cent. last year; acknowledges the adverse impact that rising fuel bills are likely to have on the ability of older people to keep warm and healthy; and calls on the Government to support the National Pensioners Convention's call to maintain the winter fuel payment at its current level of 250 for pensioner households where someone is between 60 and 79 years old and 400 for those aged 80 and over.","date":"2010-07-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"41061","proposer":"24910","edm":"142","session":"2010-12","title":"Bp And Criminal Investigation Into The Deepwater Horizon Disaster","text":"That this House notes that following the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig off the Louisiana coast, which killed eleven rig workers, an estimated 504,000 to 798,000 gallons of oil are leaking into the Gulf of Mexico every day and to date at least 20 million gallons have spilled into the Gulf, affecting more than 70 miles of Louisiana's coastline; further notes that White House energy advisers have described this as the worst environmental disaster the United States has faced; welcomes the announcement that BP will be subject to a criminal investigation; and believes that BP must take full financial responsibility for both the short and long-term effects of the disaster.","date":"2010-06-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"40891","proposer":"10428","edm":"1229","session":"2009-10","title":"Mansfield District Council District Heating System","text":"That this House notes that the UK has just recently experienced one of the coldest winter periods of the past century; is therefore alarmed by reports of the plight of local council tenants in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, many of whom are elderly, who were left without either heating or hot water in their homes during this period; finds it totally unacceptable that the local authority, Mansfield District Council, both failed to correct the latest breakdown to its district heating system and has since refused to supply relevant information under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to local tenants who on advice wish to consider challenging the local authority's failure to perform its statutory duty fully to maintain the system at least once every four years; and calls on the Minister responsible immediately to take the action necessary to require Mansfield District Council to explain its failures and to release the information requested to its tenants forthwith.","date":"2010-04-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"40790","proposer":"10393","edm":"1148","session":"2009-10","title":"Camelot And Low-Income Groups","text":"That this House rejects the proposal of Camelot to mix gambling with the cash payment of utility and other bills at the same terminals in local shops; notes that it seeks to exploit the fact that those who typically make cash bill payments, or top-up pre-payment gas and electricity meters are predominantly from social groups C2, D and E; considers that this is part of an ongoing and perverse campaign of income distribution whereby some of the poorest are coaxed into paying more and more for the entertainment and recreation of higher income groups; and asks the Government to send an early and unequivocal signal to the National Lottery Commission that Parliament will not passively accept this further exploitation of low-income groups.","date":"2010-03-22","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"40570","proposer":"11312","edm":"952","session":"2009-10","title":"Energy Companies' Profits","text":"That this House is appalled by a surge in energy companies' profits during the coldest winter for 30 years; believes that the big six energy producers should rightly pass on the massive reduction in wholesale energy prices they have been enjoying since 2008; recognises that positive steps, such as the Scottish Government's Energy Assistance Package, bring welcome help for the fuel poor; and calls for firmer action from the UK Government to help the increasing number of people suffering in fuel poverty.","date":"2010-02-25","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"40312","proposer":"11522","edm":"721","session":"2009-10","title":"Boiler Scrappage Scheme","text":"That this House notes with approval the boiler scrappage scheme and the endeavour against climate change which is its motivation; recognises that in its current form some people who are forced to run expensive and inefficient boilers are ineligible for the scheme; and calls on the Government to reappraise the scheme so that the most inefficient boiler systems are eligible for the scheme, irrespective of the means by which they warm the home.","date":"2010-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"40238","proposer":"10552","edm":"653","session":"2009-10","title":"Home Heat Helpline","text":"That this House notes the recent period of cold weather and the upward trend in energy costs; further notes the difficulties that many people have had heating their homes this winter; and welcomes the ongoing and important work of the Home Heat Helpline in advising people who are worried about the cost of heating their homes.","date":"2010-01-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"40171","proposer":"10541","edm":"592","session":"2009-10","title":"Sustainable Energy (Local Action) Bill","text":"That this House believes that it is vitally important to involve, rather than simply instruct, people and communities and local authorities in efforts to combat climate change; notes that the Sustainable Energy (Local Action) Bill, introduced by a cross-party group of hon. Members, will set in motion that process by giving councils and citizens a co-operative role in drawing up and implementing sustainable energy plans whose objectives would be to help combat climate change, protect energy security and alleviate fuel poverty; further notes that the bottom-up mechanisms in the Bill are based on those in the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, which was warmly supported by all sides of the House; and therefore supports the measures in the Bill and hopes they will be enacted soon.","date":"2010-01-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"40147","proposer":"11995","edm":"568","session":"2009-10","title":"Russia And Energy Charter Treaty","text":"That this House welcomes the recent ruling of the Arbitral Tribunal which sat at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague confirming that Russia was bound by the entire Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), having accepted full application (provisionally pending ratification), when it signed the Treaty; believes the ruling is a significant development in Russia's energy ties with the European Union that strengthens the case for the ECT to be the centrepiece of a rules-based relationship; notes that following Russia's withdrawal from provisional application of the ECT on 19 October 2009, investments existing on that date in the Russian energy sector will continue to be protected by the Treaty's investor protection rules for a further 20 years, but that new investments will no longer be protected; further notes that while Russian investors in the European energy market enjoy the full protection of European law, new European energy investors in Russia will have to rely on the goodwill of a Russian government that has shown a weak commitment to property rights; calls on EU leaders to make it clear to the Russian government that there must be a level playing field and that close and friendly energy ties depend on the acceptance of binding rules and reciprocal obligations that are fair and legally enforceable in an independent forum; and urges the Russian government to show foreign customers and investors alike that it understands the need to restore confidence in its behaviour as a producer and supplier of energy by re-engaging with the ECT.","date":"2010-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"40157","proposer":"10298","edm":"579","session":"2009-10","title":"Notification Of Price Changes By Energy Companies","text":"That this House notes that energy companies have 65 working days to inform their customers of a price rise after that price rise has taken place; further notes that customers have only 20 days to switch after being informed; further notes that research from Which? shows that 98 per cent. of people want their supplier to notify them ahead of price rises; further notes that the relevant licence condition was only implemented in 2006 and that previously suppliers were required to provide notification within 10 days; acknowledges Ofgem's statement that this is an issue of concern and their pledge to ask its consumer panel to consider the issue; but calls on the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to be more proactive and require Ofgem to change the relevant licence condition to ensure that energy suppliers inform their customers in advance of a price rise.","date":"2010-01-12","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"40123","proposer":"10606","edm":"545","session":"2009-10","title":"National Policy Statements","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's stated intention to enable proper parliamentary scrutiny and debate of National Policy Statements (NPSs); is concerned therefore that the current scrutiny process does not appear to adhere fully to the Government's commitments made earlier this year during debate on the Planning Bill; regrets that the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee's simultaneous scrutiny of all five NPSs has been compressed into an inordinately limited timescale that overlaps with the public consultation period; believes that NPSs and their legitimacy would be considerably strengthened by ensuring a process of select committee scrutiny for each individual National Policy Statement and by allowing the public consultation process to be completed before the parliamentary scrutiny process commences; considers that the public should be given meaningful opportunities to provide evidence or bring expert witness to bear particularly on site-specific NPSs; and calls on the Government to reconsider whether the current process provides the full and proper parliamentary scrutiny process to which such crucial documents should be subjected.","date":"2010-01-06","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"39969","proposer":"11245","edm":"407","session":"2009-10","title":"Winter Fuel Payments For Over 80 Year Olds","text":"That this House congratulates the Government on the provision of winter fuel payments for those aged 60 and over; further congratulates the Government on providing an increase in the payment for those aged 80 and over; notes with concern, however, that those people who turn 80 after the arbitrary date of 27 September are not eligible for the increased payments throughout the following winter; and therefore calls on the Government to change the qualifying date to ensure that those aged 80 on or before 31 December receive the increased payment in the year they are 80.","date":"2009-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"39938","proposer":"10096","edm":"377","session":"2009-10","title":"Microgeneration Strategy","text":"That this House welcomes the publication of the Microgeneration Manifesto drawn up by the Micropower Council, which recommends that the Government defines a clear, simple access route to all available support and information for householders in order to facilitate a comprehensive energy efficiency and microgeneration retrofit programme for all homes, including those in the private rental sector; notes that the press release by the Department of Trade and Industry of 12 December 2005 stated that microgeneration could, with the right policy support, provide between 30 and 40 per cent. of UK electricity needs and contribute 15 per cent. towards carbon dioxide savings by 2050; further notes that a study by the Sustainable Consumption Round Table showed that consumers become more energy-aware as a result of installing microgeneration; and hopes that the policies in the Microgeneration Manifesto will form the basis of a new microgeneration strategy and of the energy policy of both this Government and the next.","date":"2009-12-07","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"39860","proposer":"10245","edm":"300","session":"2009-10","title":"British Geological Society Closure Of Core Repositories And Samples Stores","text":"That this House notes with concern the sudden and unexpected decision by the British Geological Society (BGS) to close the world-leading offshore and onshore hydrocarbon core repositories and samples stores in Gilmerton and Loanhead; deplores the decision to ignore the concerns of the many active academic and business stakeholders; notes that there currently is no alternative facility for these unique samples; rejects claims that this closure will result in efficiency savings or better science; further notes the announcement of the closure by BGS management in August 2009, a month before the consultant's report was finalised and published, and the lack of adherence to Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) guidelines; further notes that there is no evidence of any geoscientist or other academic user, service user or oil industry stakeholder being consulted about this move and that the consultative group had no representative of the sponsoring Department, DECC, nor any scientist or other member who could credibly represent the views of Gilmerton and Loanhead's main users; regrets that BGS management cannot guarantee the safe transport of the historic core stock; further notes that the management dispensed with 24\/7 security two years ago; further notes the failure of the Tribal Group to consider all options and the discrepancies between its report and its final recommendations; calls on the Government to halt the closure plan; and calls on the National Audit Office to carry out an assessment of the costs and a value-for-money audit of these proposals.","date":"2009-12-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"39865","proposer":"10346","edm":"305","session":"2009-10","title":"Equalisation Of Tariffs For Gas And Electricity Bills","text":"That this House believes that it is unacceptable that individuals and families using prepay meters pay more for their gas and electricity than anyone else and that is is morally wrong to charge the country's poorest citizens the most exorbitant rates; believes that gas and electricity companies should take immediate action to bring prepay meter prices into line with the national average; and calls on Ofgem to reconsider its implementation of regulatory guidelines on companies' charging practices.","date":"2009-12-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"39811","proposer":"10586","edm":"268","session":"2009-10","title":"Used Cooking Oil And Bio-Diesel Duty Differential","text":"That this House recognises that bio-diesel manufactured from used cooking oil is one of the most sustainable renewable fuels available in the UK; notes the Government's decision to abolish the 20 pence per litre duty differential for bio-diesel in 2010 which will make bio-diesel significantly more expensive than road fossil fuels and therefore commercially unviable; accepts that the tax differential will mean that bio-diesel will become more expensive than fossil-based road fuels with the largest price effect felt by high-blend users such as 3663, McDonalds and Morrisons, that use between 20 and 100 per cent. bio-diesel blends for their vehicle fleets and forecourts and are likely to decide that bio-diesel is no longer commercially viable; recognises that this is likely to destroy the domestic industry for bio-diesel made from used cooking oil; agrees with the UK Sustainable Bio-diesel Alliance that this decision runs counter to the Government's commitment on the role sustainable bio-fuels can play in meeting domestic greenhouse gas and renewable energy targets and the recommendations made in the 2008 Gallagher Review; understands that whilst incentives for bio-diesel for road use provided through the Renewable Transport Obligation are welcome, they do not on their own provide sufficient support for the industry; and calls on the Government to look into ways in which the most sustainable forms of bio-diesel, most notably those made from used cooking oil, continue to receive the necessary support once the differential has been abolished in April 2010.","date":"2009-11-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"39611","proposer":"10021","edm":"74","session":"2009-10","title":"Fair Pricing For Pre-Payment Energy Meters","text":"That this House welcomes Government assurances that, if necessary, legislation would be introduced to outlaw the overcharging of pre-payment meter customers; notes that some energy companies have voluntarily and for the time being equalised pre-payment charges with quarterly billed customers but that over a million households are still paying more for their energy; refutes the claim by Ofgem that it has been successful in its campaign to stop this overcharging; calls on the Government to step in as champion for some of the most vulnerable people on low incomes and introduce legislation to equalise pre-pay charges with those of quarterly billed customers; and supports the proposals in the Equalisation of Tariffs for Gas and Electricity Bill introduced in the last Parliamentary Session.","date":"2009-11-18","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"39392","proposer":"10248","edm":"2147","session":"2008-09","title":"Competition Commission Investigation Into Energy Companies","text":"That this House calls for a Competition Commission investigation into the relationship between wholesale prices and retail prices offered to consumers by the Big Six energy suppliers, namely British Gas, E.ON, EDF Energy, Npower, Scottish and Southern and ScottishPower.","date":"2009-10-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"39267","proposer":"10459","edm":"2037","session":"2008-09","title":"Park Homes And Fuel Poverty","text":"That this House notes park home residents across the country are more susceptible to fuel poverty; further notes that park homes are not deemed to be dwellings and do not currently benefit from the majority of the Government's fuel poverty measures such as Warm Front or the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target; welcomes the recent investment in trials to establish the technical feasibility of products to reduce fuel costs in park homes and applauds National Energy Action and others for their work in this area; and calls on the Government to commit to including park homes within fuel poverty and energy efficiency measures as a priority.","date":"2009-10-14","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"39070","proposer":"11427","edm":"1850","session":"2008-09","title":"Consumer Access To Smart Meters","text":"That this House welcomes the announcement by the Government to equip all homes with smart meters by 2020; notes that smart meters will be a significant step forward in reducing the UK's energy use and that smart meters will greatly benefit the fuel poor; further notes that smart meters will create significant recurring savings for the utility companies that far exceed the cost of installation and operation of smart meters through ending the need to dispatch meter readers and estimate bills, whilst reducing significantly the call centre requirements and providing better load management through smart grid applications; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure that the big six energy companies, British Gas, Eon, EDF, Scottish Power, Scottish and Southern and npower are unable to pass on any additional cost for the installation and ongoing running of smart meters to the consumer over and above what is already charged in the standing charge for basic metering, thereby requiring those companies to behave like smaller energy providers such as First Utility, who provide smart meters to their customers free of charge.","date":"2009-07-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"39084","proposer":"12004","edm":"1864","session":"2008-09","title":"Summer Fuel Prices","text":"That this House expresses concern that many households are struggling to make ends meet in the current economic climate; notes fuel duty is a major cost throughout the year; further notes that fluctuations in the price of fuel make budgeting very difficult; and agrees that a fuel duty regulator should be put in place to prevent price fluctuation.","date":"2009-07-13","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"39014","proposer":"10541","edm":"1807","session":"2008-09","title":"Sustainable Energy (Local Action) Bill","text":"That this House believes that it is vitally important to involve, rather than simply instruct, people and communities and local authorities in efforts to combat climate change; notes that the Sustainable Energy (Local Action) Bill, introduced by a cross-party group of hon. Members, will set in motion that process by giving councils and citizens a co-operative role in drawing up and implementing sustainable energy plans whose objectives would be to help combat climate change, protect energy security and alleviate fuel poverty; further notes that the bottom-up mechanisms in the Bill are based on those in the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, whch was warmly supported by all sides of the House; and therefore supports the measures in the Bill and hopes they will be enacted soon.","date":"2009-07-02","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"38786","proposer":"10383","edm":"1608","session":"2008-09","title":"Covanta Energy","text":"That this House is concerned that Covanta Energy, a US-based waste incineration company, is proposing to build incinerators in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, the North of Ireland and Wales; notes that regulators in the US have frequently cited Covanta for illegal air pollution, that the US National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against illegal work rules at all of Covanta's US locations, and that Covanta has failed to sign a collective agreement with the Utility Workers Union of America in Rochester, Massachusetts, despite workers there having voted for union represention in May 2008; and therefore urges the Government to prioritise the health and welfare of both the public and workers by denying any Covanta application in the UK, unless it demonstrates full compliance with environmental and labour standards in all countries in which it conducts business.","date":"2009-06-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"38627","proposer":"10295","edm":"1459","session":"2008-09","title":"Smart Meters","text":"That this House welcomes the Government's announcement to equip all homes with smart meters by 2020; notes that smart meters will be a significant step forward in reducing the UK's energy use, cutting carbon emissions, making headway in the Government's pledge to create a smart grid and, further, significantly saving customers money; further notes that smart meters will end the need for utility companies to dispatch meter readers, estimate bills and employ large numbers of call centre staff, resulting in cost savings that can responsibly be passed on to customers; and looks forward to smart meters allowing customers increased awareness of their energy consumption and enabling an estimated two to three per cent. saving of their energy use each year, thereby cutting \u00c2\u00a3100 million from UK bills by 2020 and reducing national carbon dioxide emissions by 2.6 million tonnes.","date":"2009-05-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"38387","proposer":"11245","edm":"1263","session":"2008-09","title":"Ofgem And Prepayment Meter Prices","text":"That this House welcomes Ofgem's proposals to ban unjustified price differences; notes that Ofgem's measures will prevent the very worst differentials of up to \u00c2\u00a3500 but feels these new proposals do not go far enough as online direct debit prices will be far lower than prepayment meter prices; and calls on Ofgem to ensure that prepayment meter customers do not pay a penny more than quarterly billed customers.","date":"2009-04-01","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"38173","proposer":"10541","edm":"1069","session":"2008-09","title":"Fuel Poverty Bill","text":"That this House notes that 418 hon. Members of all parties supported the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 during its passage through Parliament; notes that the Act brought about a statutory duty to end fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010 and in the rest of the sector by 2016; regrets therefore that a recent High Court judgment ruled that that statutory duty set pursuant to the Act was merely a duty to make efforts and that the targets were merely aspirations; further notes with concern that five million UK households will be unable to afford to heat their homes this winter and that a recent Help the Aged survey found that 4.5 million pensioners were planning to live in one room to keep warm; welcomes the introduction with cross-party support by the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome of the Fuel Poverty Bill, which reinstates the statutory duty to end fuel poverty by requiring the homes of the fuel poor to be brought up to the energy efficiency standards currently required for new homes and by the use of social tariffs for vulnerable customers in the short term; and calls on the Government to support this Bill and do everything that it can to ensure that it becomes law in this session of Parliament.","date":"2009-03-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37983","proposer":"10295","edm":"904","session":"2008-09","title":"CENTRICA'S PROFITS","text":"That this House notes the announcement by Centrica of profits of 1.98 billion, equivalent to 60 per second; recognises that these extortionate profits are being made at a time when people and businesses are struggling to pay their energy bills, particularly at a time of economic downturn; further notes that gas prices have not been reduced in line with the fall in oil prices; and, given the false promises from energy companies that bills would fall, calls on the Government to impose a windfall levy on the excessive profits of the energy companies.","date":"2009-02-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37997","proposer":"10021","edm":"918","session":"2008-09","title":"National Housing Federation And Prepayment Meter Customers","text":"That this House welcomes Government assurances that, if necessary, legislation would be introduced to outlaw the overcharging of prepayment meter customers; notes that E.ON, Scottish Power and npower have equalised charges which they make to their prepayment meter customers with those who pay by quarterly bill, but that British Gas, EDF and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) continue to charge their prepay customers more; further notes that the National Housing Federation calculates that British Gas, EDF and SSE will overcharge their 1.7 million prepay customers by \u00c2\u00a38.6 million every month over the next year, with British Gas charging its prepayment customers \u00c2\u00a377 more over 2009 than those on quarterly bills, SSE charging \u00c2\u00a338 more and EDF charging \u00c2\u00a319 more; refutes the claim by Ofgem that it has been successful in its campaign to stop this overcharging; congratulates the National Housing Federation on championing the cause of some of the most vulnerable people on low incomes; and believes it is time for the Government to introduce legislation to equalise prepay bills with those charged to people on a quarterly basis.","date":"2009-02-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37895","proposer":"11245","edm":"820","session":"2008-09","title":"Energy Price Differentials","text":"That this House believes that Ofgem's proposals to deal with the discriminatory charging practices imposed on pre-payment meter customers do not go far enough; notes that energy suppliers could be allowed to charge pre-payment meter customers for maintaining those meters, even where the customer is forced to use a pre-payment meter; and calls on the Government to introduce licensing conditions which ensure that pre-payment meter customers do not have to pay a penny more than the best quarterly-billed rates.","date":"2009-02-23","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37856","proposer":"11245","edm":"749A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Cheapest Tariff Information On Energy Bills","text":"at end add `and to standardise the social tariff schemes, put them on a statutory basis and publicise them widely'.","date":"2009-02-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37806","proposer":"10715","edm":"749","session":"2008-09","title":"Cheapest Tariff Information On Energy Bills","text":"That this House notes the recent independent estimate by the consumer group Energywatch that approximately 5.5 million households are now in fuel poverty, spending more than 10 per cent. of their income on maintaining an adequate level of heating; believes that the situation could be helped by consumers having more information about using energy efficiently and accessing the best tariff for their pattern of energy use; and calls on the Government to require energy companies to publish information on bills showing whether consumers are on the cheapest tariff offered by their supplier and, if not, state how much they could save if they switched, and how they can do so.","date":"2009-02-10","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37744","proposer":"11038","edm":"691","session":"2008-09","title":"NORTH EDINBURGH FUEL POVERTY ACTION GROUP'S CAMPAIGN ON PRE-PAYMENT METERS","text":"That this House welcomes the launch of the campaign by North Edinburgh Fuel Poverty Action Group calling for an end to the excessive prices paid for gas and electricity by pre-payment meter users; notes that pre-payment meters are used predominantly by consumers on low and fixed incomes; believes it is unacceptable that a pre-payment meter user can pay up to \u00c2\u00a3340 more each year than a customer using an online payment method; recognises this is an issue for low-income households across the United Kingdom; calls on Ofgem to bring forward regulations at the earliest opportunity to end these punitive charges on the poorest in society; and further believes that if Ofgem fails to act the Government should introduce legislation to address the issue.","date":"2009-02-04","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37646","proposer":"10586","edm":"570A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Regulation Of Off-Mains Heating Fuels","text":"after `oil', insert `, coal'.","date":"2009-01-27","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37604","proposer":"10459","edm":"570","session":"2008-09","title":"Regulation Of Off-Mains Heating Fuels","text":"That this House notes with concern that off-mains heating fuels, particularly oil and liquid petroleum gas, remain unregulated; believes this leaves consumers, particularly in rural areas, with no alternative heating option to using companies outside of the regulatory system; further notes that the Business and Enterprise Committee also recommended regulation and does not agree with the Government's assertion that market forces will naturally regulate the sector; and strongly urges the Government and industry to discuss ways in which off-mains heating fuels can be brought under the relevant regulator's remit as quickly as possible.","date":"2009-01-26","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37546","proposer":"12004","edm":"521","session":"2008-09","title":"Free Central Heating Systems In The Scottish Islands","text":"That this House welcomes the action taken by the Scottish government to clear the backlog of applications for central heating in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland and to ensure that all applicants who have been waiting four months or more will receive a free central heating system by 31 March 2009; further welcomes the allocation of an additional \u00c2\u00a310 million to the free central heating scheme by the Scottish government; and believes that this shows a clear commitment to tackling fuel poverty in island communities.","date":"2009-01-20","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37513","proposer":"10223","edm":"489","session":"2008-09","title":"Ofgem","text":"That this House is deeply concerned that Ofgem, the energy regulator, continues to focus unnecessary attention on the pension schemes of workers in the gas and electricity industries; notes that despite the massive recent fall in the price of oil, the regulator has failed to exert sufficient pressure on the energy companies to reduce retail prices to hard-pressed consumers; is dismayed at the continuation of Ofgem's light touch regulatory approach towards the energy market; further notes that this approach contrasts sharply with its persistent attempts to interfere with the occupational pension schemes of gas and electricity workers; and calls on Ofgem to abandon its ill-conceived preoccupation with these pension schemes and concentrate instead on taking swift and decisive action to regulate the energy market effectively and fulfill its primary duty to protect consumers.","date":"2009-01-19","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37373","proposer":"11312","edm":"297A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Pre-Payment Meters","text":"at end add `; further notes that many fuel-poor customers on such meters may self-disconnect through an inability to purchase tokens; and calls upon the Government and energy companies urgently to look at ways to assess the level of self-disconnection.'.","date":"2008-12-17","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37307","proposer":"11245","edm":"298","session":"2008-09","title":"Energy Pricing","text":"That this House notes that energy companies have now agreed to reduce energy prices by \u00c2\u00a3500 million; further notes that this is only a small proportion of their recent additional profits of \u00c2\u00a34,000 million and is taking far too long to come through; further notes that all consumer groups, including small businesses, feel the energy companies may have been improperly profiteering and that the energy regulator, Ofgem, has failed to take timely and sufficient action to prevent profiteering; and therefore calls on the Government to review with Ofgem what urgent action can be taken to reduce energy prices for all consumers, especially those in fuel poverty, to standardise the Social Tariff schemes and put them on a statutory basis, to publicise widely the Social Tariff schemes and to do all this immediately.","date":"2008-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37308","proposer":"10658","edm":"299","session":"2008-09","title":"Emissions Performance Standard","text":"That this House believes that, in light of the strong recommendation made by the Climate Change Committee that the power sector should be almost fully decarbonised by 2030, and its warning of the potential dangers of a purely market-led approach leading to carbon lock in, the Government should bring forward early legislation to introduce a greenhouse gas emissions performance standard to apply to all new power generation capacity.","date":"2008-12-16","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37282","proposer":"10616","edm":"281","session":"2008-09","title":"Autism And Winter Fuel Poverty","text":"That this House shares the serious concerns of the UK Autism Foundation that there will be many more parents, carers, children and adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome across the United Kingdom who will be faced with winter fuel poverty; notes that many families with autism and Asperger's syndrome are struggling to heat their homes because of rising gas and electricity bills particularly during the credit crunch and the recession; is concerned that despite the economic downturn energy bills are at record high levels; supports the call of the UK Autism Foundation for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to provide crisis payments for families with autism below the poverty line who are struggling to heat their homes this Christmas; backs the call of the UK Autism Foundation for an industry-wide reduced social tariff for all families and people with disabilities including autism; urges the Government to take this matter up with energy companies as soon as possible in order to help families with autism who are struggling to cope with high gas and electricity bills during the recession; and calls on the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to provide on-going support to families with autism struggling to cope with financial burdens and facing the threat of home repossessions during the credit crunch and the recession in 2009 and beyond.","date":"2008-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37285","proposer":"10626","edm":"284","session":"2008-09","title":"Fuel Poverty And Energy Prices","text":"That this House is gravely concerned that around five million households will experience fuel poverty this winter; notes that many consumers may be paying too much for their energy because of the bewildering complexity of the different social tariffs that are available and because of the penalties for customers with prepayment meters; recognises that much of the United Kingdom housing stock is poorly insulated, leading to even higher fuel bills; observes the estimated \u00c2\u00a39 billion windfall received by energy generators from the free availability of permits under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme; and calls on the Government to lay a duty on Ofgem to require the energy companies to spend their windfall on a programme of energy efficiency measures including home insulation and the swift installation of smart meters, and a mandatory roll-out of standardised social tariffs guaranteeing cuts in energy prices for customers facing fuel poverty this winter.","date":"2008-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37297","proposer":"10394","edm":"297","session":"2008-09","title":"Pre-Payment Meters","text":"That this House notes that some of the poorest people in society are forced by power suppliers to use pre-payment meters which result in them paying on average \u00c2\u00a3225 more per annum for their gas and electricity than those who pay by other means; recognises that it may be legitimate for power suppliers to insist that some customers have pre-payment meters, but considers that it is unjustifiable and immoral to charge them more for their gas and electricity; believes that power companies can not use the excuse that these are more costly to administer; and calls on power companies to cut the cost of power supplies to pre-payment customers to the same level as that for direct debit customers.","date":"2008-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37305","proposer":"11245","edm":"268A1","session":"2008-09","title":"Windfall Tax On Energy Companies","text":"at end add `, unless the energy providers immediately provide support to those in fuel poverty and cut the costs of fuel to appropriate levels for all consumers.'.","date":"2008-12-15","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37269","proposer":"10256","edm":"268","session":"2008-09","title":"Windfall Tax On Energy Companies","text":"That this House notes with grave concern average annual spending on energy per household has breached \u00c2\u00a31,200, that energy providers' profits have risen from \u00c2\u00a3557 million in 2003 to over \u00c2\u00a35,000 million today, that these companies are receiving unearned profits and that the new price rises could increase those in fuel poverty beyond six million people; welcomes the Government's energy package of long-term measures worth \u00c2\u00a3900 million over three years, but notes that given the huge price increases this will not go far enough to end fuel poverty; further notes that the Government is legally bound to do all that is reasonably possible to eradicate fuel poverty for vulnerable households by 2010; furthermore notes that, despite the recent sharp falls in the oil price, these decreases are not being passed on to consumers by the energy companies; further notes that in 1997 the Government levied a windfall tax on the unearned profits of the privatised utilities and that in 2008 the inflated price of energy continues to make massive unearned windfall profits for the energy companies; and requests the Government urgently to introduce a new windfall tax, the revenues from which should be ring-fenced and targeted at homes in fuel poverty and used to start an adequately funded programme of home insulation to protect people from future price rises.","date":"2008-12-11","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37205","proposer":"10368","edm":"211","session":"2008-09","title":"Energy Regulation","text":"That this House is disappointed that the Government has not introduced a Winter Warming Bill; notes that the six largest energy companies have made billions of pounds of profit from energy price rises in recent years and are currently charging domestic customers up to twice as much as the current price on the wholesale energy market; calls for an end to light touch regulation of this market and for the energy regulator, Ofgem, to have a stronger role in controlling these companies, for a reintroduction of the price controls that were abolished in 2002 to ensure a fair market for consumers, for the abolition of VAT on electricity and gas to cut costs for normal hard-working families, for the introduction of mandatory social tariffs that would take the vulnerable poor out of the market economy, and for the end of the scandal of pre-payment meter users being over-charged for their services than other customers.","date":"2008-12-09","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37150","proposer":"11093","edm":"158","session":"2008-09","title":"Energy Company Practices On Overcharging And Credit Balances","text":"That this House notes that for many the cheapest way to pay their energy bills is by direct debit; further notes that direct debit allows companies to vary the amount they withdraw from a customer's account and that energy companies can withdraw more than they are owed and hold this amount in credit; believes that customers have the right to assume that the direct debit sum should not fluctuate without reason; further notes that some energy companies have taken additional sums and held them in credit without cause; observes that this makes it difficult for customers to manage their finances and can leave them without money; and condemns this practice.","date":"2008-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37152","proposer":"10295","edm":"160","session":"2008-09","title":"Energy Prices","text":"That this House notes that the price of oil has now fallen by almost three-quarters since it hit a record high of $147 a barrel in July 2008; recognises that the price of oil is the main driver of wholesale gas prices and a major factor in the price of electricity, yet despite the huge fall in oil prices energy firms have failed to pass on the price drop to their customers, with an average household energy bill now standing at \u00c2\u00a31,303, up 43 per cent. from the beginning of 2008; demands that energy companies reduce prices now to help people afford their energy bills during the winter; and urges the Government to take direct action if energy companies fail to reduce prices.","date":"2008-12-08","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37011","proposer":"11420","edm":"19","session":"2008-09","title":"Industry Taskforce On Peak Oil And Energy Security","text":"That this House welcomes the report from leading British companies, including Virgin, Stagecoach, Scottish and Southern Energy and Solarcentury, which are part of the Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security, highlighting concerns that cheap sources of easy to obtain fossil fuels are moving towards their greatest availability and will then decline in availability; notes that this is confirmed by the International Energy Agency; and calls for the Government to find a sense of urgency in acting to reduce energy usage, to reduce the price of energy and to reduce energy bills of consumers.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"37046","proposer":"10790","edm":"54","session":"2008-09","title":"Sectoral Targets For Energy Efficiency And Microgeneration","text":"That this House, whilst disappointed that the Government did not feel able to accept the addition of New Clause 10 (Sectoral targets) to the Climate Change Bill of Session 2007-08, nevertheless welcomes the statement to the House by the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford, that the Government has sympathy for the concept of targets and her reassurance that they want to look at the kind of sectoral targets they would need and consult on the detail of sectoral targets for microgeneration and energy efficiency made on 28 October 2008, Official Report, column 812; and urges the Under-Secretary of State to accept the spirit of co-operative governance embodied in the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and not just consult on these matters but also to try to reach agreement with the various bodies representing business and environmental and social interests.","date":"2008-12-03","status":"o"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36906","proposer":"11245","edm":"2483A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Prices (No. 3)","text":"at end add `if the companies act irresponsibly in profiteering from recent energy and oil price fluctuations.'.","date":"2008-11-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36882","proposer":"11607","edm":"2476","session":"2007-08","title":"Removal Of VAT On Energy","text":"That this House notes that the current financial crisis has led to the rising cost of people's utility bills such as gas and electricity; applauds the Government's recent action, introducing measures to help people this winter; commends the Warm Homes Scheme which helps ensure thousands of people can heat their homes this winter; further notes with worry that many people not included in this scheme could suffer fuel poverty as a result of rising bills; urges the Government to curb excessive price increases by private utility companies by removing the cost of VAT from energy bills; asks that the Government does so with immediate effect so that people can heat their homes this winter without worrying whether they can pay their bills; and further notes that this action would benefit thousands of people and will help keep them warm this winter.","date":"2008-11-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36889","proposer":"10295","edm":"2483","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Prices (No. 3)","text":"That this House condemns the energy companies for not reducing prices of gas and electricity following a reduction in the price of oil; notes that crude oil prices have fallen by more than 50 per cent. in the last six months; recognises that energy price increases were excused by rising oil prices yet prices have now fallen with no corresponding drop in gas and electricity bills; expresses its grave concern that energy companies continue to pay excessive wages and make immoral profits at the cost of customers in the UK; calls on the companies to reduce prices for consumers and business during the economic downturn; and further calls on the Government to take direct action by imposing a windfall levy.","date":"2008-11-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36820","proposer":"10541","edm":"2426","session":"2007-08","title":"Pre-Payment Meter Tariffs","text":"That this House registers its disapproval of the excessive charges facing energy customers using pre-payment meters; regards it as even less acceptable for energy companies to back-date tariff increases to customers whose meters they have not bothered to re-set; believes that customers should not be asked to meet the costs of energy company incompetance; and calls on the Government to bring in new rules making tariff increases applicable only from the point of meter re-setting.","date":"2008-11-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36827","proposer":"10780","edm":"2415A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Pre-Payment Meters","text":"after `that', insert `many of'.","date":"2008-11-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36828","proposer":"10780","edm":"2415A2","session":"2007-08","title":"Pre-Payment Meters","text":"at end add `; and commends those energy companies that do not implement such a premium.'.","date":"2008-11-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36809","proposer":"10141","edm":"2415","session":"2007-08","title":"Pre-Payment Meters","text":"That this House is concerned about the millions of people who pay for their gas and electricity via a pre-payment meter; notes that these customers are having to pay a premium to heat and light their homes compared to customers who pay by quarterly bills; and calls on the Government, energy suppliers and Ofgem to work together to remove this unfair and unequal premium which allows customers on low incomes to be discriminated against in this way.","date":"2008-11-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36766","proposer":"10383","edm":"2379","session":"2007-08","title":"BP'S PROFITS","text":"That this House notes BP's profits announcement of \u00c2\u00a36.8 billion in the third quarter of 2008, which represents a 148 per cent. increase in the rate of profit; further notes that this amounts to \u00c2\u00a370 million in profit per day or \u00c2\u00a33 million per hour; believes this to be an obscene level of profiteering; and therefore calls on the Government to take action to curb this gross excess, including through the options of a windfall tax, price controls or full public ownership.","date":"2008-10-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36722","proposer":"10597","edm":"2342","session":"2007-08","title":"Rising Block Tariff","text":"That this House notes the alarming increase in the number of people suffering from fuel poverty as a consequence of the unacceptable escalation of fuel bills; further notes that a key component of any package of measures designed to combat fuel poverty should be the statutory reform of energy tariffs, to bring down bills and help to incentivise greater energy efficiency; further notes the amendment to Clause 81 of the Energy Bill, tabled in the other place, that requires the Government to use the rising block tariff system under which customers would receive a basic provision of gas and electricity at a threshold price and more for subsequent blocks of energy used; recognises that the rising block tariff has the merits of encouraging careful management of energy used by householders, promoting an element of re-distribution, reducing the need for means-testing for social tariffs and reducing carbon dioxide emissions; and therefore calls on the Government to consider the merits of this amendment carefully.","date":"2008-10-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36648","proposer":"11971","edm":"2281","session":"2007-08","title":"CONSULTATION ON ENERGY COMPANIES' ETS WINDFALL PROFITS","text":"That this House notes the recent consultation of East Dunbartonshire residents, which found that 87 per cent. were in favour of making energy companies use more of their Emissions Trading Scheme windfall profits to cut domestic fuel bills and improve energy efficiency; further notes with concern that according to the charity National Energy Action, there are already 5.1 million households in fuel poverty in the UK, while excess winter deaths are likely to be over 30,000 in 2008-09; further notes that the cost of investment by energy companies in energy efficiency and home insulation should not be passed on to consumers via higher energy bills, in place of responsible use of ETS windfall profits; and urges the Government to take urgent steps to tackle fuel poverty, including requiring energy companies to invest \u00c2\u00a3500 million a year into a rolling programme of home insulation, roll-out social tariffs to over two million vulnerable customers and install smart meters in homes to display real time energy consumption costs.","date":"2008-10-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36603","proposer":"10790","edm":"2253","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Saving Week","text":"That this House congratulates the Energy Saving Trust for organising its 12th annual Energy Saving Week from 20th to 26th October; recognises that energy efficiency is the cleanest, safest and cheapest way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions; notes that energy efficiency can play a key role in tackling fuel poverty; but notes that the Energy Saving Trust's independent research shows that people think a lack of time is a barrier to them taking energy saving measures; further notes that many measures, such as installing low energy lightbulbs, or only boiling the water needed for a hot drink, take very little time; urges all hon. Members to show leadership in their constituencies by supporting the Energy Saving Trust's Energy Saving Week and by promoting the Act on Carbon Dioxide advice line to their constituents; and notes that since the Energy Saving Trust was established it has funded or influenced measures giving lifetime savings of over 100 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.","date":"2008-10-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36428","proposer":"11032","edm":"2081","session":"2007-08","title":"Fuel Allowance For Nhs Volunteer Drivers","text":"That this House recognises the vitally important work that many thousands of volunteer drivers undertake in taking patients to and from hospitals, GP surgeries and day centres; notes that the increasing cost of fuel is putting many of these services at risk as the fuel allowance for volunteer drivers remains at 40 pence per mile whilst the cost of fuel has escalated; further notes that nurses and staff in the NHS have recently been given an increase in their fuel allowance; is concerned about the impact on local health services if volunteer drivers can no longer afford to help their communities; believes that primary care trusts and other trusts should compensate volunteer drivers for their increased fuel costs and bring increases in line with those granted to NHS staff; and calls on the Government to allow all increases for NHS staff and volunteers to be tax free to reflect the rising cost of fuel.","date":"2008-07-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36412","proposer":"10295","edm":"2071","session":"2007-08","title":"Tesco Five Pence Off Petrol Scheme","text":"That this House calls on Tesco to reverse its decision to exclude infant formula and baby food from the five pence per litre fuel promotion whereby customers who spend \u00c2\u00a350 receive a fuel voucher; notes that customers purchasing \u00c2\u00a350 of alcohol will be granted a voucher but families who spend money on baby food out of necessity cannot use that money spent towards a voucher; considers that the offer encourages greater spending on alcohol, which flies in the face of supporting families with young children; and further notes the contradiction that Tesco believes that Every Little Helps except when it comes to helping little ones.","date":"2008-07-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36382","proposer":"10626","edm":"2040","session":"2007-08","title":"DEFRA'S PROPOSED REPEAL OF HOME ENERGY CONSERVATION ACT 1995","text":"That this House recognises that the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 is one of the most important pieces of energy saving legislation; applauds the energy savings of 93.4 terawatt hours achieved in the first eight years of the Act; further recognises the many benefits the Act has brought, in terms of effective targeting of resources for household energy efficiency; recognises nevertheless that the Act might have achieved far more if the Government had not systematically failed to support it; is dismayed that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has now published proposals to repeal it; and therefore calls on the Government to scrap its plans to repeal the Act and instead take steps to strengthen it, thereby allowing it to reach its full potential to deliver household energy savings and contribute to the Government's stated climate change objectives.","date":"2008-07-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36368","proposer":"10541","edm":"2027","session":"2007-08","title":"Fuel Poverty Targets","text":"That this House notes with concern that Government estimates indicate that it is no longer on course to meet its statutory obligation to lift all vulnerable households out of fuel poverty by 2010; regrets the Government's response to Friends of the Earth on 14th March 2008 suggesting that the fuel poverty targets were an option rather than an obligation; recognises that the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act sets out statutory duties for the complete eradication of fuel poverty by 2016; and calls upon the Government to set up an inter-ministerial task force to deliver its statutory duties.","date":"2008-07-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36333","proposer":"10295","edm":"2000","session":"2007-08","title":"Tackling Fuel Poverty","text":"That this House is deeply concerned about the effect a 40 per cent. increase in domestic fuel prices will have on pensioners, the poor and the vulnerable this winter; urges energy companies to accept the Department for Work and Pensions \u00c2\u00a340 money-back voucher scheme for the elderly on pension credits; demands that fuel companies charge no more for pre-payment meters than the extra cost of operating them; congratulates The People newspaper on its hard-hitting fuel poverty campaign; calls on the Government to use its influence abroad to end the link between gas and oil prices and its influence at home to encourage more market competition; and supports a windfall tax on the profits of the Big Six power giants unless they do more to help the fuel poor.","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36340","proposer":"11093","edm":"2007","session":"2007-08","title":"Parliament And Solar Panels","text":"That this House recognises the need for action to combat climate change, and that it is the first national legislature to set binding national limits on carbon dioxide emissions; further recognises the importance of the environment as an issue for the public; believes that more could be done domestically and internationally with each individual and organisation taking their role more seriously; and resolves to use the vast roof space of the House of Commons buildings for solar panels so that this House can do more to reduce its own emissions and take an active lead in the fight against climate change.","date":"2008-07-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36290","proposer":"10790","edm":"1966","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Efficiency","text":"That this House believes energy efficiency must be the cornerstone of the UK's carbon reduction policies; welcomes and supports leading business and environmental organisations working together on an energy efficiency scorecard assessing current Government policy; and believes that the scorecard makes an important contribution to the energy efficiency debate and highlights the urgent need for ambitious policies that reflect the huge potential for energy efficiency identified by the Stern report.","date":"2008-07-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36291","proposer":"10295","edm":"1967","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Costs And UK Manufacturing","text":"That this House notes the increasing problems the UK manufacturing sector is facing with the rising cost of energy; recognises that wholesale electricity prices for this winter have jumped by 110 per cent. on last winter with gas prices increasing by 130 per cent. over the same period, creating extra pressure on UK manufacturing companies to remain competitive with threats of job losses and closures looming as a consequence; expresses its disgust at the excessive profit margins of the energy companies and the inflated wages of the energy chiefs at the expense of UK businesses; and calls on the energy companies to cut the inflated energy prices in the interests of manufacturing and business throughout the UK.","date":"2008-07-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36241","proposer":"10608","edm":"1919","session":"2007-08","title":"Renewable Energy Strategy","text":"That this House congratulates the Government on the publication of the UK Renewable Energy Strategy consultation; welcomes the long-awaited policy initiative that it contains; and urges the Government to pursue the expansion of all forms of renewable energy with the utmost urgency, rather than waiting until 2010.","date":"2008-06-30","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36231","proposer":"10305","edm":"1910","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Intensive Manufacturing Industry","text":"That this House expresses concern that the competitiveness of the UK's energy intensive manufacturing sectors is now being jeopardised by uncompetitive prices being demanded by gas and electricity producers for future supplies, making the UK subsidiaries of multinational companies considerably more expensive than their European counterparts which will inevitably lead to extensive job losses in these sectors; and urges Ministers to act decisively and swiftly to restore confidence by developing strategies to utilise fully existing gas storage facilities during winter months, to develop additional storage and import facilities and to ensure fair access to Europe's energy markets so that the UK's energy intensive consumers are able to source energy at the same prices as their European competitors.","date":"2008-06-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36189","proposer":"10571","edm":"1871","session":"2007-08","title":"Concentrated Solar Power And The Creation Of A High Voltage Direct Current Grid","text":"That this House notes that Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) technology, a means of capturing solar energy from deserts, has the potential to generate a substantial proportion of Europe's future electricity needs; notes that it would be feasible and cost-effective to transmit energy derived from desert based CSP plants in North Africa to Europe via the creation of a high voltage direct current (HVDC) super-grid, as this would restrict transmission losses to just three per cent. per 1,000 km; further notes that the cost of collecting solar thermal energy equivalent to the energy output of one barrel of oil is currently about US$50 and is likely to fall to around US$20 in the future, which is substantially less than the current world price of oil; welcomes the work that has been done by the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Co-operation (TREC) in promoting the development of CSP and an integrated Europe and North Africa-wide HVDC super-grid; and calls on the Government to endorse TREC's proposals formally and to work with its international partners to advance the concept.","date":"2008-06-24","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36123","proposer":"10780","edm":"1819","session":"2007-08","title":"Help For Those Affected By Higher Oil Prices","text":"That this House notes the significant difficulties and hardship caused to many households across the United Kingdom over the past 12 months due to the spiralling costs of fuel, food and other essential items; and calls upon the Government to review the significant increase in revenue obtained through the escalation in crude oil prices during that same time, and introduce fiscal measures using the increased revenue to assist those families and individuals on medium and lower incomes as a matter of urgency.","date":"2008-06-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36102","proposer":"10608","edm":"1798","session":"2007-08","title":"Unabated Coal-Fired Electricity Generation","text":"That this House considers that in the light of the current state of knowledge of climate change and of the Government's response in the form of the Climate Change Bill, which will set out a mandatory framework for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, it would not be proper to license any new coal-fired electricity generating plant that does not have provisions for abating carbon dioxide emissions.","date":"2008-06-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36082","proposer":"10541","edm":"1781","session":"2007-08","title":"Social Energy Tariffs","text":"That this House notes the agreement for the UK's energy suppliers to spend \u00c2\u00a3150 million a year on initiatives to help the fuel poor by March 2010-11; views with concern the fact that initiatives being proposed include social tariffs that are more expensive than the supplier's best offer; notes that Ofgem's definition sets the threshold for a social tariff rate as being `at least as good as the suppliers' standard direct debit tariff'; further notes that since many fuel-poor households currently pay by direct debit, a significant proportion of people living in fuel poverty are effectively excluded from any additional assistance; believes that recent price increases and the potential for further price increases means there is an urgent need for additional assistance that reaches fuel-poor households; and supports representations made to Ofgem and the major energy suppliers by Energywatch, the Parliamentary Warm Homes Group and a coalition of NGOs that would require social tariffs offered to those hit hardest by increasing energy prices to mean the lowest tariffs that suppliers offer on the market.","date":"2008-06-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"36013","proposer":"10541","edm":"1727","session":"2007-08","title":"Cross-Departmental Ministerial Task Force On Fuel Poverty","text":"That this House notes with concern that, according to its own estimates, the Government is not on course to meet its statutory obligation to end fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010 and that there have been substantial increases in fuel poverty in all sectors; further notes that the latest Fuel Poverty Advisory Group Annual Report identified that Government programmes lack co-ordination and that the responsibility for fuel poverty is dispersed across many different Government departments; welcomes the recommendations of this report that the roles of all departments need to be clearly defined and that a significant contribution on fuel poverty be made by a Ministerial cross-departmental commitment; further notes that this was also the stated pre-requisite for all other recommendations in the just published seminal report How Much? The cost of alleviating fuel poverty in England to be implemented, as well as the main recommendation from the event Fuel Poverty - Mapping the Next Decade preceding this report; and calls upon the Government to set up a Ministerial cross-departmental task force consisting of the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Health, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Treasury to deal exclusively with ensuring that the Government meets its statutory fuel poverty targets in the short, medium and long-term.","date":"2008-06-09","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35979","proposer":"11345","edm":"1695","session":"2007-08","title":"Tallow And Biodiesel","text":"That this House notes that tallow is one of a number of sources used in producing biodiesel; recognises that there is not a requirement to display the inclusion of tallow in the fuel at the point of sale; expresses concern that vegetarians, vegans and people who follow certain religions will feel that ethically they are unable to use this fuel and will not be able to identify when tallow has been used in the production of biodiesel; further notes that they will be limited as to what transport they feel comfortable to use; believes there to be no environmental advantages to using tallow as a biodiesel feedstock instead of plant oils; further notes that total availability of tallow as a source is limited and cannot be increased; and calls on the Government to ensure that biodiesel sold at UK fuel stations is only produced using virgin vegetable oils such as rapeseed and used cooking oils.","date":"2008-06-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35966","proposer":"11589","edm":"1682","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Bills, Fuel Poverty And VAT Windfall","text":"That this House is concerned that fuel poverty is widening and deepening as a consequence of rapidly rising energy prices; notes that people are paying more VAT in their increasing energy bills; calls on the Treasury to use these increased VAT receipts, along with other resources, to support low-income households in coping with the inordinate burden of rampant energy costs; further calls on relevant Ministers to bring forward proposals to extend previous and existing programmes to alleviate fuel poverty; and urges the Government to engage with devolved administrations, local government and agencies working to combat fuel poverty and promote energy efficiency in delivering new interventions to bring relief to hard-pressed households using the VAT windfall.","date":"2008-06-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35968","proposer":"11589","edm":"1684","session":"2007-08","title":"Oil And Gas Prices","text":"That this House expresses concern that speculation for profit could be a significant factor driving energy price rises; notes evidence to the US Senate's Commerce Committee that the flow of money into the futures market through index funds is exaggerating oil price rises; recognises that in the current market a barrel of oil could be traded up to 12 times before use; further notes that the trade consumption ratio for gas in the UK market is 6:1; calls on the Government to examine the scale and impact of such speculative commodity trading in energy sources; notes the allegation by market commentators that 50 to 60 per cent. of such trading is by banks and other institutional investors; reminds banks of their responsibilities to wider economic and social interests, particularly in circumstances where taxpayers are underwriting the banking system; recognises that the current regulatory regime for gas and electricity offers no recourse against rampant price rises induced by commodity trading; urges Ministers to develop appropriate interventions and restraints in the UK market; and encourages Ministers to seek appropriate consideration and actions in the context of the forthcoming meeting of the G8, including moves to limit commodity indices as a legitimate asset class for institutional investors.","date":"2008-06-03","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35906","proposer":"10459","edm":"1625","session":"2007-08","title":"Oil And Gas Regulation","text":"That this House notes with concern the steep and continuing rise in fuel prices which is putting a huge strain on people in an uncertain economic climate; further notes that some practices in the energy supply industry, and especially in the unregulated sectors, have contributed to these price increases; and calls on the Government to ensure the National Consumer Council includes oil, liquid petroleum gas and all other forms of fuel products currently not under regulation within its remit to help people with the massive increases in their energy bills, particularly in rural areas.","date":"2008-05-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35814","proposer":"10096","edm":"1544","session":"2007-08","title":"Undergrounding Overhead Lines In Protected Areas","text":"That this House recognises that overhead power and telecommunication cables in some of the otherwise most beautiful locations in Great Britain have a detrimental effect on landscape quality; applauds the decision by Ofgem to provide an allowance to electricity suppliers for undergrounding overhead lines in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks between 2005 and 2010; commends those energy companies that have engaged with local communities and stakeholders in protected landscapes markedly to improve the visual landscape; and urges Ofgem to continue the scheme beyond 2010 and to increase the allowance to enable undergrounding in more difficult geographical and geological conditions.","date":"2008-05-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35816","proposer":"10096","edm":"1546","session":"2007-08","title":"Western Power And Undergrounding Overhead Lines In Protected Landscapes","text":"That this House recognises the visual improvements achieved in many beautiful locations in Great Britain through Ofgem's scheme to provide allowances to energy companies for undergrounding overhead lines on the basis of local consultation; is deeply concerned that Western Power, which provides electricity to mid and south Wales and the south west of England, has chosen not to take advantage of these allowances, thus denying possible removal of overhead lines in areas like the Brecon Beacons, Gower, Exmoor, Wye Valley, Dartmoor, Tamar Valley, the Quantocks and the Cornwall, Devon and Pembrokeshire coasts; and urges Western Power to reconsider its position and engage with local stakeholders to help improve the environment over time in these very special places.","date":"2008-05-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35771","proposer":"11312","edm":"1503","session":"2007-08","title":"Home Fuel Oil Prices","text":"That this House notes the very substantial rises in the price of home fuel oil which many people, particularly in rural areas, rely on for heating; believes that urgent action is needed to tackle fuel poverty amongst those relying on such oil as well as those who use gas and electricity; calls on the Government to investigate the soaring price of fuel oil; and believes this industry should be subject to the same regulation as gas and electricity suppliers.","date":"2008-05-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35715","proposer":"11420","edm":"1453","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy And Food Prices And Peak Oil","text":"That this House notes that current movements in energy and food prices are in conformance with the predictions as to what would happen as oil production peaks; and calls for the Government urgently to review its predictions as to when peak oil occurs with a view to determining whether or not urgent policy adjustments are called for.","date":"2008-04-29","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35695","proposer":"10616","edm":"1434","session":"2007-08","title":"World Food Availability And Biofuels","text":"That this House notes the frequent reports of a worsening world food crisis; further notes the UK Chief Scientist's warning over this and that biofuel programmes have delivered a `major shock' to world food prices; further notes that over 25,000 people die of hunger-related causes daily, and that the caloric intake of the poorest falls by 0.5 per cent. with every one per cent. rise in food prices, according to the World Bank; further notes a World Food Programme spokesman's comment that there is now `a very great emergency crisis' in Asia, with rice prices rising 50 per cent. in one fortnight in this spring 2008, commodities being interlinked; further notes the dramatic upsurge in South American deforestation rates in 2007, linked to the food commodities shock; further notes the EU Joint Research Centre's comments in its report, Biofuels in the European Context, that `the costs of EU biofuels outweigh the benefits', irrespective of a switch towards second generation cellulosic biofuels, and that greater emissions savings can be achieved by not having a biofuel target, which may not even save emissions if the resulting deforestation and other consequences are considered; therefore echoes the calls by the Environmental Audit Committee and Defra's Chief Scientific Adviser for a moratorium on the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation; further calls on the Government to suspend support for directly target-based incentives for biofuels in European legislation, namely in the EU Renewable Energy Directive and the EU Fuel Quality Directive; and urges a wider pullback in biofuel programmes, including in the US, in order to achieve substantial food price rise reversals.","date":"2008-04-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35696","proposer":"10616","edm":"1435","session":"2007-08","title":"Human Displacement By Monocultures","text":"That this House notes with interest the Friends of the Earth report Losing Ground on the many adverse human rights and environmental effects of large-scale palm oil plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia; further notes the widespread reports from the global South of human rights abuses and harm to local environments amid the advance of monocultures associated with the present commodities shock and biofuel drive, including of palm oil elsewhere and of soya, cotton, sugarcane and jatropha; further notes that 11,000 villagers are being displaced in Tanzania by jatropha plantations cultivated for the UK firm Sun Biofuels; urges that British and European decision-makers consult more actively with Southern non-governmental organisations when devising trade and energy policies; and also recognises the need to reduce the UK's ecological footprint in its national choice of energy sources, and the value of individuals doing so within a balanced diet by reducing consumption of animals.","date":"2008-04-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35627","proposer":"10578","edm":"1380","session":"2007-08","title":"Complete Life-Cycle Carbon Footprints Of Housing Stock","text":"That this House notes that more than a third of the UK's housing stock predates 1945 and that at current replacement rates it will take several centuries to replace; therefore believes that greater research is needed into evaluating the complete life-cycle carbon footprints of existing housing stock, taking account of energy used in the manufacture of building materials, construction of the home, its efficiency in use, and eventual demolition and recycling or disposal of materials; and urges the Government to investigate the total carbon budgets for renewal and upgrading of existing homes against their demolition and replacement with houses built to higher environmental standards.","date":"2008-04-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35499","proposer":"10541","edm":"1265","session":"2007-08","title":"Sustainable Energy (Local Action) Bill","text":"That this House believes that it is vitally important to involve, rather than simply instruct, people and communities and local authorities in efforts to combat climate change; notes that the Sustainable Energy (Local Action) Bill introduced by a cross-party group of hon. Members will set in motion that process by giving councils and citizens a co-operative role in drawing up and implementing sustainable energy plans whose objectives would be to help combat climate change, protect energy security and alleviate fuel poverty; further notes that the bottom-up mechanisms in the Bill are based on those in the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, which was warmly supported by all sides of the House; and therefore supports the Bill and hopes its provisions will be enacted soon.","date":"2008-03-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35368","proposer":"10203","edm":"1148","session":"2007-08","title":"Mixed Oxide Plant","text":"That this House is appalled at the revelation that the Sellafield mixed oxide (MOX) plant is one of the most comprehensive and catastrophic failures in Britain's industrial history; recalls that it was built at a cost of \u00c2\u00a3473 million to produce 120 tons a year of nuclear fuel but has managed only 5.3 tons in five years of operation resulting in plans to ship plutonium to France; recalls the science-based campaign by environmental groups, The Independent and hon. Members which exposed the futility of this proposition in the year 2000; and condemns the naivety and scientific illiteracy of those who invested taxpayers' money in Mox in the absence of rational evidence of its viability.","date":"2008-03-11","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35285","proposer":"10100","edm":"1068A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Windfall Levy On Energy Companies","text":"at end add `and establish a single national energy efficiency fund to retrofit older properties.'.","date":"2008-02-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35286","proposer":"11312","edm":"1068A2","session":"2007-08","title":"Windfall Levy On Energy Companies","text":"at end add `, and to extend the payment to disabled and other vulnerable groups who require additional heating.'.","date":"2008-02-28","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35267","proposer":"10295","edm":"1068","session":"2007-08","title":"Windfall Levy On Energy Companies","text":"That this House notes with concern the decision taken by a number of energy companies to increase prices by in the region of 15 per cent.; further notes that energy companies continue to make huge profits with British Gas announcing profits in excess of \u00c2\u00a3500 million for the past year; recognises that while energy companies satisfy shareholders the consumer is left to suffer, in particular those on low incomes and fixed incomes; and calls on the Government to impose a windfall levy on the privatised energy companies and use the money to increase the winter fuel payment payable to pensioners.","date":"2008-02-27","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35244","proposer":"10177","edm":"1046","session":"2007-08","title":"Carbon Emissions And New Homes","text":"That this House recognises the need to improve domestic energy efficiency in order to tackle climate change and reduce fuel poverty; welcomes the introduction of carbon reduction targets for new homes; however notes that in line with the Code for Sustainable Homes all new homes built using Government grant are required to reduce carbon emissions by 25 per cent. from April 2008, 44 per cent. from 2012 and to become zero carbon from 2015, whilst private developers will have until 2010, 2013 and 2016 respectively to meet the same targets; is concerned that if three-quarters of the housing market is allowed to lag behind in this way green technologies will not sufficiently benefit from economies of scale and prices will remain unnecessarily high, deterring product take up and imposing higher building costs on the affordable housing sector; and therefore supports the National Housing Federation's campaign asking the Government to commit private developers to the same environmental standards and timetable as housing associations as soon as possible.","date":"2008-02-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35227","proposer":"10428","edm":"1030","session":"2007-08","title":"Every Child Matters Campaign","text":"That this House is aware of the campaign, Every Child Matters, which is currently asking from the Government a budgetary commitment to pilot a scheme to give winter fuel allowances to families in the UK with disabled children in their family; recognises that with rising fuel costs research evidence shows that two thirds of families in this category struggle to pay their fuel bills in the wintertime, a factor not least affected by the need to maintain constant home heat levels to ward off infections and bouts of restricted mobility caused directly by cold conditions; and calls upon the Government to respond positively to the campaign which would both relieve suffering and hardship whilst helping to lift up to 40,000 vulnerable families out of poverty.","date":"2008-02-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35217","proposer":"10790","edm":"1019","session":"2007-08","title":"Climate Change And Energy Production","text":"That this House recognises the global imperative of tackling climate change; notes the importance of decarbonising the UK's energy production in order to meet this imperative; is therefore concerned by current plans to develop over 10GW of new coal power stations in Britain, resulting in 50 million extra tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from the UK economy per annum; and asks the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to hold a public inquiry before making a decision on the application for consent to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, in order that full consideration is given to the implications of the proposed development for the UK's climate change and energy policies.","date":"2008-02-22","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35192","proposer":"11312","edm":"994","session":"2007-08","title":"Competition In The Energy Market","text":"That this House notes with concern the massive profits being announced by energy companies weeks after they have imposed very substantial price rises on consumers; believes that the option of switching suppliers is not available to many consumers, especially those who are suffering most from rising prices; further believes that there is an urgent need for an investigation into the operation of the energy market and, in particular, whether there are any anti-competitive practices amongst the big six energy companies; and urges the Government to instruct the competition authorities to launch an investigation into the energy market.","date":"2008-02-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35193","proposer":"11312","edm":"995","session":"2007-08","title":"Competition In The Energy Market (No. 2)","text":"That this House is concerned about reports that EDF of France and E.On of Germany are leading consortia attempting to take over Iberdrola of Spain, the parent company of Scottish Power; believes that any such takeover would lead to even less competition within the UK energy market and goes against efforts by the European Commission to liberalise the EU energy market; believes that there are already concerns about the dominance of the big six energy companies in the UK market; and calls upon the UK Government to make clear that no further concentration will be allowed.","date":"2008-02-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35116","proposer":"11420","edm":"935","session":"2007-08","title":"People With Disabilities And Energy Costs","text":"That this House notes with concern the effect of increasing energy costs on people on low and fixed incomes; believes that efforts need to be made to ensure that people on lower incomes are enabled to manage their household budgets; and calls on the Government to review how energy support costs mechanisms such as the winter fuel payment can be extended to cover people on low incomes because of disability or with disabled children.","date":"2008-02-18","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35096","proposer":"10128","edm":"771A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Price Increases And Winter Fuel Allowance","text":"leave out from `allowance' to end and add `since the energy supply companies have clearly earned excess profits from a market which Energywatch has described as \"rigged against the public\".'.","date":"2008-02-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35081","proposer":"10552","edm":"905","session":"2007-08","title":"VAT For Warm Homes Campaign","text":"That this House notes that Scottish Power has announced average price increases for its electricity customers of 14 per cent. and for its gas customers of 15 per cent.; further notes that this decision follows similar above-inflation price increases by Npower, EDF Energy and British Gas; recognises that in light of such increases more must be done to make homes as energy efficient as possible to address rising fuel poverty in the UK; welcomes Energy Action Scotland's `VAT for Warm Homes' campaign and its recommendation that the Treasury uses the estimated \u00c2\u00a3175 million of additional VAT raised through energy price increases to give extra funding for Government programmes that provide insulation and efficient central heating systems to vulnerable households; and calls on the Government to support this campaign.","date":"2008-02-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35066","proposer":"10541","edm":"890","session":"2007-08","title":"Feed-In Tariffs For Renewable Electricity","text":"That this House notes that massive expansion of renewable energy generating capacity is essential in order to cut the UK's carbon emissions significantly and to meet the EU renewable energy targets; further notes that the UK generates just five per cent. of its electricity from renewable sources; recognises that many European countries have adopted a feed-in tariff system with considerable success, paying a long-term, guaranteed premium price for renewable electricity exported to the grid; appreciates that a feed-in tariff has played a transformational role in Germany which now generates 13 per cent. of its electricity from renewable sources and employs 236,000 people in the renewable energy sector; further notes the finding of the Stern Review that `comparisons between deployment support through tradeable quotas and feed-in tariff price support suggest that feed-in mechanisms achieve larger deployment at lower costs'; believes that there is an urgent need for a feed-in tariff to support smaller scale renewable electricity schemes; recognises that a UK feed-in tariff could work alongside other policy mechanisms that support large scale renewable electricity generation; and calls on the Government to introduce the necessary enabling powers for a feed-in tariff in the current Energy Bill and give a commitment to introduce, following appropriate consultation, a UK feed-in tariff to support smaller non-merchant renewable electricity generation.","date":"2008-02-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35067","proposer":"10415","edm":"891","session":"2007-08","title":"Citizens Advice Survey And The Record Of Utility Companies On Customer Queries","text":"That this House is deeply concerned by the continued failings of utility companies to deal effectively with customer problems via their call centres, as evidenced by a Citizens Advice report which showed that three-quarters of respondents were unable to resolve problems in one telephone call and that a third of respondents had to spend more than half an hour trying to resolve problems with their call centres; notes that British Gas and BT are singled out as having the worst track record in responding to customer problems; and urges the regulators for telephone and energy companies in particular, to require much higher standards and information from utility companies, with punitive measures if necessary.","date":"2008-02-05","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35026","proposer":"10190","edm":"850","session":"2007-08","title":"Gas Patio Heaters","text":"That this House notes with concern that MEPs have voted to endorse a report that says a timetable should be set to ban gas patio heaters; further notes that this is not a decision for Members of the European Parliament but should remain a decision for national sovereign parliaments; further notes that the unintended consequence of the smoking ban is the huge increase in the number of patio heaters outside pubs; further notes the relatively small levels of carbon dioxide emissions that patio heaters produce; and calls on the British Government to protect the British pub industry by ignoring the call to ban these heaters.","date":"2008-02-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35036","proposer":"10248","edm":"860","session":"2007-08","title":"Competition Commission And Energy Prices","text":"That this House expresses deep concern at escalating gas and electricity prices; fully expects the price rises announced by British Gas, Npower, EDF Energy and Scottish Power to be followed by their competitors; is particularly anxious about the impact these rises will have on vulnerable consumers, public services and the competitiveness of British businesses; notes that the number of large scale, licensed energy suppliers serving domestic and small business customers in the Great Britain energy market has reduced from more than 20 following liberalisation to just six today; is further concerned that the high degree of vertical integration of generation, supply and network activities of the six major companies acts as a barrier to new entrants into the Great Britain energy market, thereby reducing effective competition; understands that the Enterprise Act 2002 provides that `where a feature or combination of features of a market in the UK for goods or services [which] is, or appears to be, significantly harming the interests of consumers' a market investigation reference to the Competition Commission can be made; regrets the fact that the regulator Ofgem has failed to make such a reference; and calls on the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to instruct the Competition Commission to conduct a full market investigation and where necessary take action to increase competition.","date":"2008-02-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"35043","proposer":"10598","edm":"867","session":"2007-08","title":"Safeguarding Standards For Energy Consumers","text":"That this House notes that new arrangements for consumer redress in the energy sector will be introduced on 1st October 2008; welcomes the fact that these will require energy suppliers to take additional responsibility for resolving their own complaints in a manner that adheres to a statutory complaint handling standard; urges Ofgem to ensure its formulation of the statutory standard does not diminish the protection currently enjoyed by energy consumers; believes independent verification of company complaints data is essential to ensuring data quality, transparency and providing sufficient incentives on companies to invest in improving their customer service, and must therefore be required under the standard; further believes that the standard should oblige companies to share their complaints data with the new National Consumer Council in a timely manner so that consumers can compare customer service performance when choosing a company; and calls on the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform to reject any complaint handling standard that does not meet these requirements.","date":"2008-02-04","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34954","proposer":"10006","edm":"789","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy And Climate Change","text":"That this House recognises the global imperative of tackling climate change; notes the importance of decarbonising the UK's energy production in order to meet this imperative; is concerned therefore by current plans to develop over 10GW of new coal power stations in Britain, which will result in 50 million extra tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from the UK economy per annum; and asks the Secretary of State for Business, Employment and Regulatory Reform to call in the application to build a new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth in Kent, in order that full consideration is given to the implications of the proposed development for the UK's climate change and energy policies.","date":"2008-01-25","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34950","proposer":"11245","edm":"764A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Prices (No. 2)","text":"at end insert `urges that this review take account of the actual cost of oil and gas to reflect the forward fixed price purchasing of these.'.","date":"2008-01-24","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34927","proposer":"10075","edm":"764","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Prices (No. 2)","text":"That this House notes with concern that a regional analysis of recent increases in energy prices indicates that London consumers are suffering larger proportionate increases than consumers in any other region in England, with an estimated 23.5 per cent. increase in gas prices and 22.1 per cent. in electricity prices, which are up to twice as high as those imposed on other areas; notes further that price rises announced by Npower introduce regional differentials in gas prices for the first time; recognises that there are no mechanisms within state benefits such as pensions, or within the tax credit system to assist low income households hit by regional differentials in costs; welcomes the fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked the Chief Executive of Ofgem to look at the relationship between wholesale price movements for oil and gas and domestic retail prices; and requests both the Government and the energy regulator to urgently review the issue of regional price differentials and their impact upon people on fixed and low incomes.","date":"2008-01-23","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34934","proposer":"10256","edm":"771","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Price Increases And Winter Fuel Allowance","text":"That this House notes with concern the decision taken by British Gas and Npower to increase the prices of gas and electricity greatly above the rate of inflation and the impact this has on vulnerable pensioners; and therefore calls on the Government to monitor closely the profits of the energy companies and to introduce a windfall tax in order to fund a one-off increase in the winter fuel allowance should those companies' profits rise excessively.","date":"2008-01-23","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34870","proposer":"11489","edm":"713","session":"2007-08","title":"Institute For Biological, Environmental And Rural Sciences","text":"That this House notes that agricultural and land-based environmental research in Ceredigion has a long and proud history, which can be traced back to the formation of the Welsh Plant Breeding Station (WPBS) in 1919; notes that the WPBS first received government funding in 1956, and that ever since research at the site has played an essential part in informing government environmental and agricultural policy; pays tribute also to the work of the current Institute in researching the potential of crops for energy; recognises the significant contribution that manipulating animal diets and obtaining energy from biomass could make to reducing methane and carbon dioxide emissions; further notes that the new Institute for Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) is set to become a world renowned centre of excellence for teaching, research and enterprise, building on the established reputations of Aberystwyth University and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research and re-establishing a historical link between the two; urges the Government to ensure that future research at IBERS is fully funded, in view of its stated commitment to tackle climate change and support sustainable farming; and further urges the new IBERS to maintain the excellent farm research facilities at Trawscoed.","date":"2008-01-16","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34856","proposer":"10295","edm":"700","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Prices","text":"That this House notes with concern the decision taken by Npower to increase prices by 12.7 per cent. for its electricity customers and 17.2 per cent. for its gas customers from 5th January 2008; further notes that other energy companies will increase prices, with EDF Energy already announcing increases of 7.9 per cent. in electricity prices and 12.9 per cent. in gas prices this week; recognises that such increases hit those on low incomes and fixed incomes hardest; and calls on the Government to work with the Regulator Ofgem and the Competition Commission to ensure that energy prices are set at a fair level and that energy companies set their prices separately from one another with no collusion or agreement between companies over pricing policy.","date":"2008-01-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34857","proposer":"11592","edm":"701","session":"2007-08","title":"Rechargeable Batteries","text":"That this House recognises that the average UK household uses 21 batteries a year, which generates 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes of waste batteries of which fewer than 1,000 tonnes are recycled; believes greater steps should be taken by manufacturers, retailers and consumers to increase the use of rechargeable batteries; congratulates the Sunderland Echo and its partners Wear1 on their Recharging the City campaign; and encourages hon. Members to follow the fine example set by the campaign and promote the use of rechargeable batteries in their constituencies.","date":"2008-01-15","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34784","proposer":"11312","edm":"631","session":"2007-08","title":"Nuclear Energy Trends","text":"That this House believes that the case for new nuclear power stations has not been made; reminds the UK Government of the risks and costs of nuclear power, in terms of waste disposal, decommissioning, security and health concerns; respects the majority view of hon. Members of the Scottish Parliament who oppose new nuclear power stations in Scotland; notes the publication of the Energy Trends report, by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, which reveals that nuclear production in Scotland fell by a quarter in 2006, while electricity generation as a whole including renewables increased, underlining that nuclear is unreliable as well as unnecessary; recognises that Scotland has the natural resources to generate clean, green power; and welcomes the Scottish Government's efforts to harness Scotland's renewables potential to meet future energy demands while tackling climate change.","date":"2008-01-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34763","proposer":"10096","edm":"385A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Look Smart Campaign And Smart Metering (No. 2)","text":"at end add `however this House also recognises that in the three years before the Smart meter roll out commences real time displays can provide millions of tonnes of early carbon savings by instigating energy saving behavioural change as envisaged in the May 2007 Energy White Paper.'.","date":"2007-12-17","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34702","proposer":"11480","edm":"559","session":"2007-08","title":"Energy Prices For The Poor","text":"That this House expresses concern that the millions of customers using prepayment meters to pay for their energy use are paying an average of \u00c2\u00a3195 per year more than those who have signed up for suppliers' online tariffs, and that in some parts of Britain this can mean as much as \u00c2\u00a3304 under npower tariffs, which is more than the higher level of the winter fuel payment; notes that prepayment meter users are three times more likely to be fuel poor, one-third of households do not have internet access at home whilst one in 11 do not have a bank account and are unable to take advantage of cheaper online deals; further notes that many prepayment customers are prevented from switching supplier because they have a debt; and welcomes the campaign from consumer watchdog Energywatch to address this exploitation of the poorest in society.","date":"2007-12-12","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34506","proposer":"10586","edm":"385","session":"2007-08","title":"Look Smart Campaign And Smart Metering (No. 2)","text":"That this House welcomes the launch of Look Smart, a campaign by energywatch, the Energy Retail Association and Utility Week; recognises that smart metering would put an end to estimated energy bills, give consumers accurate, understandable and up-to-date information on the energy they are using, remove the additional cost to service pre-payment meters and have a positive impact on fuel poverty and carbon emissions; notes that a national introduction of smart meters has broad support from the energy industry, consumer groups and environmental organisations; and calls on the Government to mandate the introduction of smart metering at the least possible cost to consumers, to fulfil the expectation made in the Energy White Paper that, within the next 10 years, all domestic energy customers will have smart meters.","date":"2007-11-26","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34459","proposer":"10028","edm":"339","session":"2007-08","title":"Social Tariffs","text":"That this House notes with concern that fuel poverty in the UK has returned to the four million household level as a direct result of sustained high energy prices; also notes that there is considerably more work to be done if the Government is to meet its targets to eradicate fuel poverty among vulnerable households by 2010 and among all households by 2016; believes that social tariffs have a key role to play in helping the fuel poor heat their homes to a comfortable and safe level; observes that there has consistently been wide variation in suppliers' voluntary efforts to help low-income households; further observes with concern that low-income households using prepayment meters continue to pay on average \u00c2\u00a3127 more a year for their gas and electricity than those paying by direct debit and that this gap has increased by up to 70 per cent. in the last two years; and calls for the Energy Bill to be used to include powers that enable the Secretary of State to require suppliers to offer social tariffs in accordance with minimum standards providing households on low incomes with access to best value tariffs regardless of how they pay for their energy.","date":"2007-11-21","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34454","proposer":"10336","edm":"301A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Severn Tidal Power And Generation Of Electricity From The Severn Estuary","text":"after `homes', insert `recognises that a barrage would irreversibly damage the environment and landscape of the Severn Estuary, that biodiversity would be lost and the future of the port of Bristol compromised'.","date":"2007-11-20","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34412","proposer":"10043","edm":"301","session":"2007-08","title":"Severn Tidal Power And Generation Of Electricity From The Severn Estuary","text":"That this House welcomes the announcement by the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform of a feasibility study into the generation of electricity from the Severn Estuary that will critically evaluate all the major options; notes that the Severn Tidal Power project has the potential to provide five per cent. of total UK electricity demand from a renewable, reliable and British source; further notes that through harnessing the natural power of the tidal Severn Estuary, the Severn Tidal Power project would provide enough electricity to power three million homes; is concerned that each month of delay to completion of the project means an extra 0.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide is emitted; and calls on the Government to progress the study without delay, making use of the 20 years' experience and knowledge already available.","date":"2007-11-19","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34387","proposer":"10541","edm":"86A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Introduction Of Smart Metering","text":"after `displays', insert `recognises that mandatory smart meters will have to be input-output meters if citizens, rather than energy companies, are to be empowered by the changes'.","date":"2007-11-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34388","proposer":"10541","edm":"103A3","session":"2007-08","title":"Real Time Electricity Display Units","text":"after `environment', insert `notes that for citizens to be empowered rather than energy companies, smart meters will have to be two-way meters allowing citizens to be generators of energy as well as consumers.'","date":"2007-11-14","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34324","proposer":"10630","edm":"222","session":"2007-08","title":"Microgeneration And Local Energy Bill","text":"That this House expresses support for the provisions contained within the Microgeneration and Local Energy Bill introduced in the last session by the hon. Member for Southampton Test, on promoting microgeneration, local energy and energy conservation; believes that these measures would make a significant contribution to combating climate change; and looks forward to such provisions being brought forward in the 2007-08 Session.","date":"2007-11-13","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34253","proposer":"10790","edm":"157","session":"2007-08","title":"Eu 20 Per Cent. Renewables Target By 2020","text":"That this House welcomes the new EU target of 20 per cent. renewables as a proportion of total energy by 2020; notes that the United Kingdom currently delivers 1.75 per cent. total energy from renewables, the lowest percentage in Europe apart from Luxembourg and Malta; further notes that the EU average is 7 per cent., with countries like Denmark on 16.21 per cent. demonstrating that renewables output can be doubled in a single decade; urges the Government to adopt a more ambitious approach to the United Kingdom's exceptional renewable resources, making use of the United Kingdom's considerable engineering and academic expertise; further recognises that the United Kingdom is the second largest economy in Europe, and the world's fifth biggest economy and sixth biggest manufacturing economy, and therefore has the knowledge and resources to deliver a step change in the delivery of renewable energy, creating significant employment and export opportunities; further urges the Government to offer strong leadership on United Kingdom renewables and to adopt a positive approach to EU negotiations on the EU target to achieve an outcome which supports the rapid expansion of renewable energy in the United Kingdom; and urges the Government to adopt the Renewable Energy Association and British Wind Energy Association's call for a 2020 Renewable Taskforce to ensure that Government works in partnership with key industries and the energy regulator to deliver as close to 20 per cent. renewables by 2020 as possible.","date":"2007-11-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34273","proposer":"10616","edm":"177","session":"2007-08","title":"Biofuels And The Ipcc","text":"That this House notes with interest and concern a contention by five senior ecology and energy scientists that the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report's conclusions on biofuels are `seriously and dangerously deficient' in understating their costs and pitfalls and that the IPCC has not revealed the basis for its claim that biofuel blending programmes or incentives in a number of national cases have been found environmentally effective upon initial inquiries; and therefore joins with the five scientists in calling on the IPCC to reveal the basis for this claim, in the interests of good science and to avoid prejudicing others' commendable work within the IPCC.","date":"2007-11-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34274","proposer":"10616","edm":"178","session":"2007-08","title":"Biofuel Certification Or Standards","text":"That this House welcomes the candour of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, who have admitted that the proposed biofuel sustainability or carbon savings certification or standards will not account for the multiple displaced effects of diverting land from food production to biofuels, which include higher food prices, deforestation, human and wildlife displacement and major land-use change emissions; and notes with interest a detailed review of the prospects for biofuel certification and the lessons from timber certification, in the recent OECD briefing paper on biofuels.","date":"2007-11-08","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34205","proposer":"11312","edm":"115","session":"2007-08","title":"OFGEM'S PROPOSALS FOR ZONAL DISTRIBUTION CHARGES","text":"That this House notes that Ofgem has produced proposals for the introduction of zonal distribution charges for electricity; believes that such charges are discriminatory and will further undermine the economic viability of renewable energy projects in remoter areas of the country; and calls upon Ofgem to abandon these proposals and instead to bring forward a system that will encourage the development of renewable energy.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34208","proposer":"10177","edm":"118","session":"2007-08","title":"Microgeneration Targets","text":"That this House notes the passing of the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006; further notes the importance of setting targets for microgeneration in order to achieve reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide, as specified in section 4 of the Act; emphasises the views of the industry, that targets are crucial to secure investor confidence in order to train installers, establish mass market delivery channels and obtain funding for large scale investment in mass production; further notes that such developments will reduce the cost of microgeneration technologies, thereby ensuring a shorter pay-back period for customers and enabling microgeneration to move from a niche market to a mass market product and further contribute to reducing climate change at no cost to the public purse; and urges the Government to work in conjunction with industry in order to set a challenging but achievable target within the timescale required by the Act.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34241","proposer":"11923","edm":"151","session":"2007-08","title":"Biofuels","text":"That this House recognises the need for standards to be set regarding the manufacture of biofuels to restrict levels of deforestation and destruction of valuable wildlife habitats; further recognises that the objective of the use of biofuels is to reduce overall greenhouse emissions, a process which would be hampered by the significant destruction of rainforests; notes that the setting of standards would boost British farmers who wish to grow crops for the purpose of manufacturing biofuels; and urges the Government to begin setting standards for the manufacture of biofuels.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34250","proposer":"10586","edm":"103A1","session":"2007-08","title":"Real Time Electricity Display Units","text":"leave out `welcomes' and insert `notes'.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34251","proposer":"10586","edm":"103A2","session":"2007-08","title":"Real Time Electricity Display Units","text":"leave out from `moment' to end and add `further notes that electricity display units can only be used by one third of energy customers, those who use electricity, and regards electricity display units as a short term distraction from the long term social, economic and environmental benefits of smart meters; and further notes that smart meters, as well as providing reliable and accurate billing information, do not discriminate between electricity and gas consumers.'.","date":"2007-11-07","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34107","proposer":"10470","edm":"17","session":"2007-08","title":"Bioenergy","text":"That this House recognises the important role bioenergy can play in tackling climate change while encouraging energy security and increasing opportunities for farmers and rural communities; regrets that bioenergy represents only 1.5 per cent. of the total UK energy supply; is nevertheless alarmed by the environmental threat posed by the production for bioenergy of palm oil, sugar cane and soya in South East Asia and South America, the expansion of which is leading to a destruction of tropical forests and other highly prized ecosystems, such as the Cerrado in Brazil; calls on the Government to introduce as a matter of urgency a carbon and sustainability assurance scheme that reflects the impact of bioenergy throughout its life-cycle; urges the European Union to follow suit in developing Europe-wide assurance schemes; and calls on the Government to encourage a sustainable bioenergy sector through an ethical Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34165","proposer":"10713","edm":"75","session":"2007-08","title":"Combined Heat And Power","text":"That this House recognises that combined heat and power (CHP) is one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing UK carbon emissions, especially in the industrial sector, and that it enhances security of supply, boosts competitiveness and helps tackle fuel poverty; regrets the Government's disappointing records on attaining its target of 10 GW generated through CHP by 2010 and 15 per cent. of electricity for Government departments to be sourced from CHP by 2010; remains concerned that, despite the Conservative Government setting a target in 1990 of four GW being achieved by 2000, there has been a marked reduction in the rate of CHP installation since 1997; and urges the Government to honour its 2010 target, and set a further 2020 target, for energy generated through combined heat and power, and to develop the policies to meet it.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34168","proposer":"10713","edm":"78","session":"2007-08","title":"Renewable Energy","text":"That this House supports the concept and development of renewable energy technology; recognises the importance of this technology in enhancing Britain's energy security and in tackling climate change; is concerned that the Government is considering backing out of its 20 per cent. by 2020 EU renewable energy commitment; and urges the Government to develop a comprehensive renewable energy strategy which facilitates the development of less developed technologies such as offshore wind, tidal, wave and solar power in order to meet its renewable energy target.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34169","proposer":"10713","edm":"79","session":"2007-08","title":"Targets For Microgeneration","text":"That this House welcomes the passing of the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act in 2006; notes the importance of section 4 of the Act which relates to the setting of targets for microgeneration; further notes the importance of such targets in order to achieve reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide, especially in the light of the recent Stern report that emphasised the urgency of this issue; emphasises in addition the views of industry that targets are crucial in securing sufficient investor confidence to train installers, establishing mass market delivery channels and obtaining funding for large scale investment in mass production; further notes that such developments will make microgeneration equipment far cheaper and so ensure that the pay-back period for customers is reduced, thus enabling microgeneration to make the big step from a niche market product to being a mass market product and contribute even more to efforts to reduce climate change at no cost to the public purse; and urges the Secretary of State for the Environment to work in conjunction with the industry in order to set a challenging but achieveable target within the timescale required by the Act.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34170","proposer":"10713","edm":"80","session":"2007-08","title":"Local Government And The Merton Rule","text":"That this House supports the Merton Planning Rule requiring onsite renewable energy in all major new developments where viable; notes that onsite renewables such as solar hot water, solar photovoltaics, biomass boilers, small wind turbines and ground source heat pumps are proven technologies with rapidly expanding European and global markets; recognises that the UK languishes unnecessarily near the bottom of the European league table of installed micro renewable energy capacity; acknowledges that onsite renewables will need to make a significant contribution to the EU's 2020 20 per cent. renewable energy target if that target is to be met in the UK; congratulates forward thinking councils for adopting and implementing local planning rules requiring onsite renewable energy in new developments; believes that the Merton rule makes the delivery of the Government's 2016 zero carbon homes timetable more rather than less likely; and therefore urges ministers to ensure that the rights of local planning authorities to set borough-wide Merton rules and other local energy efficiency and renewable energy planning requirements are promoted unambiguously in the forthcoming Climate Change PPS.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34176","proposer":"10713","edm":"86","session":"2007-08","title":"Introduction Of Smart Metering","text":"That this House notes that, through the use of smart metering systems, homeowners are engaged in the process of reducing their energy bills whilst helping the environment and the security of UK energy supply; further notes that the use of smart metering systems with real time displays would allow accurate billing and two way communication and would be visually accessible to the consumer; believes that estimated energy bills, with their significant drawbacks of inaccuracy and failure to show the benefits of energy efficiency measures, could be eliminated by the introduction of smart metering; further notes that smart metering is estimated to deliver potential energy savings of between five and 15 per cent.; further notes the important role that they will play in the increase in microgeneration schemes facilitating the export of consumer generated power; welcomes the support of the Energy Saving Trust in the mandatory rollout of smart metering in homes using interval metering with automated meter management incorporating permanent, highly visible consumer displays; and calls on the Government to meet its commitment to smart metering contained in the Energy White Paper by introducing a programme for the full-scale rollout of smart metering within the next 10 years, in time to meet the Energy Services Directive.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"},{"topic":"Energy","id":"34193","proposer":"10790","edm":"103","session":"2007-08","title":"Real Time Electricity Display Units","text":"That this House welcomes the policy in the 2007 Energy White Paper that electricity suppliers should provide, free of charge to all customers who request them, real time electricity display units so that they can see how much energy they are consuming and what it is costing at any moment; believes that such information will provide significant national early carbon savings and will also help customers to save energy with benefits to their pocket and the environment; and urges electricity suppliers to ensure they can provide such meters and promote them effectively to their customers as early as possible in 2008.","date":"2007-11-06","status":"c"}]