Lord Lawson offers ‘fuel poverty’ advice to peers

Published on Friday 17 February 2012 00:00

Fuel poverty could be reduced “at a stroke” if the government scrapped certain coalition measures designed to support renewable energy, a former Conservative chancellor has suggested.

In the House of Lords, Lord Lawson of Blaby argued the Carbon Floor Price, the Renewables Obligation and “massive” subsidies for wind farms, were “all designed to push up energy costs at the expense of fuel poverty and the expense of British industry and the British economy”.

His comments came as Lib Dem peer Lord Ezra, former chairman of the National Coal Board, quizzed the government on moves to tackle fuel poverty.

Lord Lawson intervened, suggesting to the minister a way in which “he could reduce fuel poverty at a stroke”.

He added: “Abolish the whole raft of measures from the Carbon Floor Price to the Renewables Obligation, massive subsidies for wind farms, all designed to push up energy costs in the absence of a global decarbonisation agreement which he knows perfectly well is not on the cards.”

Lord Marland replied: “I’m pleased that the noble Lord felt he was being of assistance. I do take on board what he said.”

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nabodican

Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 03:32 PM

#4 SlowNeutron - Very simple dear chap, mainland Scotland only has one gas fired power station at Peterhead therefore in a hundred years or so if and when oil & gas runs out nuclear power will still be keeping the lights on. The real issue is that wind power is an unnecessary extra which is costing us dearly as is all the carbon taxing and trading nonsense. Lord Lawson is one of the few peers who actually has a grasp on reality.

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SlowNeutron

Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:35 PM

And when the oil and gas runs out, my dear posters 1 to 3, what will your children do then? Burn your old petiions for warmth?

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norfolkboy14

Friday, February 17, 2012 at 05:31 PM

We need to get the Government onside, as well as local councils and others, if we are going to stop these wind turbines being built. Are you disillusioned by rising electricity prices, over dependence on the "green" dream [especially uneconomical and inefficient wind farms] and the destruction of our countryside then please register your objection to the Government on http:epetitions.direct.gov.ukpetitions22958 or by GOOGLING "E-PETITION 22958" and following the link. Please pass this message on to Councillors, members of your community and anyone else you know to persuade them to sign up too. If you are really concerned about wind turbines please write a letter promoting this petition to your local Newsletter and to the Editors of your local newspapers.

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KINGFISHER1

Friday, February 17, 2012 at 02:52 PM

I concur with Lord Lawson on this point. As with 1, 100%. Despite comments made elsewhere by other bloggers,where I post, I KNOW exactly what I am talking about. I will check out the article on the proposed dam in the Great Glen. I would poit it is a geological fault area,and the stress of the weight of water might cause cracking.

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nabodican

Friday, February 17, 2012 at 01:33 AM

Lord Marland needs to do more than take on board what lord Lawson said, he needs to act on it because Lord Lawson is 100% correct.

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