L

Lord Offord of Garvel (Con)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 16 June 2025

Debate

Social Energy Tariff

Contribution

My Lords, as has been pointed out, we have a social tariff. We had one previously, before 2011, but it was abolished in favour of the warm home discount. I welcome any initiative by the Government to increase that to alleviate any suffering, but any talk of a social tariff would be a sticking plaster over the fundamental problem raised by the noble Lord, Lord Vaux: that the cost of our electricity is way too high. Our domestic electricity is three times more expensive than that of the US, and industrial electricity is four times more expensive than that of the US and seven times more than that of China. This is the real problem. Only one-third of electricity prices in domestic bills are wholesale prices; 46% of the total costs are the green levies and subsidies, which are being accentuated by the accelerated and self-inflicted rush to decarbonise the grid. Will the noble Lord go back to his department so that we can come up with a new plan for energy that is affordable for all?

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