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Solar panel tariff appeal loss for government Solar panel tariff appeal loss for government
(40 minutes later)
The government has lost an appeal over its plan to cut subsidies for solar panels on homes.The government has lost an appeal over its plan to cut subsidies for solar panels on homes.
The appeal, launched in January, was against a High Court ruling that blocked government plans to halve the payments made to households with solar panels.The appeal, launched in January, was against a High Court ruling that blocked government plans to halve the payments made to households with solar panels.
The government says these feed-in tariffs are at an unsustainably high level.The government says these feed-in tariffs are at an unsustainably high level.
It would have hit customers who installed panels after 12 December.It would have hit customers who installed panels after 12 December.
Under the feed-in tariffs programme, people in Britain with solar panels are paid for the electricity they generate.Under the feed-in tariffs programme, people in Britain with solar panels are paid for the electricity they generate.
The new tariff of 21p per kilowatt-hour, down from the current 43p, had been expected to come into effect from 1 April, but in October the government said it would be paid to anyone who installed their solar panels after 12 December.The new tariff of 21p per kilowatt-hour, down from the current 43p, had been expected to come into effect from 1 April, but in October the government said it would be paid to anyone who installed their solar panels after 12 December.
The government announced a consultation on the proposals which closed on 23 December.The government announced a consultation on the proposals which closed on 23 December.
The High Court ruled that changing the tariffs before the end of an official consultation period was "legally flawed".The High Court ruled that changing the tariffs before the end of an official consultation period was "legally flawed".
Upholding that ruling, the Supreme Court said the government's appeal "does not raise an arguable point of law of general public importance which ought to be considered by the Supreme Court at this time".Upholding that ruling, the Supreme Court said the government's appeal "does not raise an arguable point of law of general public importance which ought to be considered by the Supreme Court at this time".
A spokesperson for the Department of Energy and Climate Change said: "We are disappointed by the decision of the supreme court not to grant permission to hear this case." The government said the court's decision drew a line under the case.
"We will now focus all our efforts on ensuring the future stability and cost effectiveness of solar and other microgeneration technologies for the many, not the few," said Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey.
The legal challenge was initiated by Friends of the Earth and two solar firms, Solarcentury and HomeSun.The legal challenge was initiated by Friends of the Earth and two solar firms, Solarcentury and HomeSun.
Friends of the Earth's executive eirector Andy Atkins described the ruling as "a landmark decision which will prevent ministers causing industry chaos with similar subsidy cuts in future".Friends of the Earth's executive eirector Andy Atkins described the ruling as "a landmark decision which will prevent ministers causing industry chaos with similar subsidy cuts in future".
Caroline Flint MP, Labour's shadow energy and climate change secretary, said: "Today's ruling proves, once and for all, that the government's cuts to solar power are not just bad for the public, bad for jobs and growth, and bad for the environment, but unlawful."Caroline Flint MP, Labour's shadow energy and climate change secretary, said: "Today's ruling proves, once and for all, that the government's cuts to solar power are not just bad for the public, bad for jobs and growth, and bad for the environment, but unlawful."