Ed Miliband ‘risking power shortages’ in his race to make Britain more reliant on ‘intermittent renewables’, MPs warn_nhy
Ed Miliband is failing to tackle soaring energy bills while risking power shortages in his race to Net Zero, MPs have warned.
In a ‘fresh humiliation’ for the Energy Secretary, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) criticised the time being taken on reviews of gas and electricity prices.
It urged the Government to set out a timetable for reducing electricity bills through its previous commitments to rebalance the costs of electricity and gas.
The PAC also said Mr Miliband must do more to convince Parliament he has a ‘robust plan’ for ensuring energy security when it is more reliant on ‘intermittent renewables’.
Labour claimed during the election campaign that their plans to decarbonise the electricity system by 2030 would reduce household bills by £300.
But since then, energy bills have gone up by an average of £281 thanks to the energy price cap rising three times.
The PAC said: ‘The UK had the highest electricity price out of 25 countries reporting both domestic and industrial electricity prices in 2023, (including taxes and levies) and electricity is currently four-times more expensive than gas.
‘Despite repeated promises, the Department has delayed taking action to rebalance energy prices by shifting the cost of environmental levies from electricity to gas.
Ed Miliband (pictured) has been accused of failing to tackle soaring energy bills while risking power shortages in his race to Net Zero
Labour claimed during the election that their plans to decarbonise the electricity system by 2030 would reduce household bills by £300. But since then, energy bills (Stock image)
Bills have gone up by an average of £281 thanks to the energy price cap rising three times
‘In addition, the Department is reviewing how electricity prices are set for households so that they can benefit from cheaper rates if demand is low or when the weather means more energy is produced.
‘But this review has been running for three years and remains on an uncertain timetable, meaning it is unclear when consumers will start to see the benefits through reductions to their bills.’
Tory shadow energy spokesman Andrew Bowie told the Mail last night: ‘This report is a fresh humiliation for Ed Miliband, who is doing nothing to deliver his election promise to cut everyone’s energy bills by £300.
‘His obsession with making our electricity supply depend entirely on when the wind is blowing and the sun is shining makes us increasingly dependent on Chinese imports tainted by slave labour – and puts us at risk of blackouts.
‘The UK has the highest electricity prices in the developed world. Kemi Badenoch has told the truth about the cost of Net Zero, but Miliband refuses to do the same. It is time for Labour to prioritise what really matters – cheap and secure energy for this country.’
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: ‘Our mission for clean power is the only way to protect UK billpayers from future price shocks.
‘The 2022-23 energy crisis, which saw sky-high energy bills and put pressure on households and businesses across the country, was a product of our reliance on gas for heating and powering our homes. We will bring down bills for good by moving towards a clean, homegrown power system that we control.
‘We are also supporting consumers, including through proposals to expand the Warm Home Discount to almost three million more households next winter, and allocating £1.8bn of funding to create warmer, more energy-efficient homes across England.’
