Commenting on the result of the third reading / report stage of the Government’s Energy Bill today, Caroline Lucas, Green MP (Brighton Pavilion) said:

"The refusal of the majority of Lib Dem and Conservative MPs to back a 2030 decarbonisation target in the Energy Bill today raises serious questions about the huge influence wielded over the Coalition by the fossil fuel industry – and exposes the complete failure of political leaders to recognise that the green economy is our best route out of recession.

"It’s also deeply worrying that sensible amendments proposing to examine the huge costs involved in new nuclear power were overwhelmingly rejected.

"The secretive negotiations between EDF and the Government risk forcing taxpayers and bill payers to pay almost double the current price of power for nuclear if the deal goes ahead.

"There is no question that this should have been opened up to proper scrutiny by an expert panel to examine whether such contracts represent good value for consumers."

Caroline, who tabled a number of her own amendments to the Bill, concluded:

"In its current form, this legislation will do little to facilitate the clean energy revolution, green jobs and well-insulated homes we so desperately need.

"It’s a bill that commits the UK to an eye-wateringly expensive nuclear future  - and one in which most fossil fuel polluters are free to continue business-as-usual as the climate crisis is brushed under the carpet.”

ENDS