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Electricity cost to rise due to government policies | Electricity cost to rise due to government policies |
(40 minutes later) | |
The government has said electricity costs will rise due to its policies. | The government has said electricity costs will rise due to its policies. |
In its annual energy statement, the Department of Energy and Climate Change said government policies would increase the cost of electricity by 27% by 2020. | In its annual energy statement, the Department of Energy and Climate Change said government policies would increase the cost of electricity by 27% by 2020. |
This could push up the cost an average bill by almost £280. | This could push up the cost an average bill by almost £280. |
However, the department said that its policies on energy-efficient products, smart meters and home insulation would more than compensate - leaving the average household £94 better off. | However, the department said that its policies on energy-efficient products, smart meters and home insulation would more than compensate - leaving the average household £94 better off. |
Green Deal | Green Deal |
The government also launched a consultation on its Green Deal programme to promote energy efficiency. | The government also launched a consultation on its Green Deal programme to promote energy efficiency. |
The scheme is designed to encourage consumers to take out loans to help make their homes more energy efficient, thereby reducing their energy bills. | The scheme is designed to encourage consumers to take out loans to help make their homes more energy efficient, thereby reducing their energy bills. |
The programme will include support for poorer households and difficult to insulate homes and will replace current schemes. | The programme will include support for poorer households and difficult to insulate homes and will replace current schemes. |
"The decisions we make will ensure that the consumer is protected as far as possible from rising prices," said Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne. | "The decisions we make will ensure that the consumer is protected as far as possible from rising prices," said Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne. |
But, speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Huhne accepted that most bills would still rise overall, because of rising gas prices. | But, speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Huhne accepted that most bills would still rise overall, because of rising gas prices. |
However, he claimed the actual impact of the government's policies would leave consumers 7% better off. | However, he claimed the actual impact of the government's policies would leave consumers 7% better off. |
Increases in the cost of electricity to fund renewable energy and other measures would be balanced by improvements in domestic energy efficiency, he claimed. | Increases in the cost of electricity to fund renewable energy and other measures would be balanced by improvements in domestic energy efficiency, he claimed. |
But the opposition said it wasn't clear whether that would happen. | But the opposition said it wasn't clear whether that would happen. |
"The government's flagship energy efficiency programme, the Green Deal, has been delayed and is in chaos," said Caroline Flint, shadow energy and climate change secretary. | "The government's flagship energy efficiency programme, the Green Deal, has been delayed and is in chaos," said Caroline Flint, shadow energy and climate change secretary. |
Bill breakdown | Bill breakdown |
Policies driving up bills include payments towards support for the fuel poor, the cost of carbon and renewable energy. | Policies driving up bills include payments towards support for the fuel poor, the cost of carbon and renewable energy. |
Offshore wind and other large renewable projects are expected to make up, on average, £48 of a household bill. | Offshore wind and other large renewable projects are expected to make up, on average, £48 of a household bill. |
Solar and other smaller schemes come in at about £6. | |
A significant portion of the government's anticipated reduction in consumer bills comes from its products policy. | |
Mandatory efficiency standards on new products are expected to save the average household £154 a year, with loans obtained through the Green Deal saving another £53. | Mandatory efficiency standards on new products are expected to save the average household £154 a year, with loans obtained through the Green Deal saving another £53. |
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