Rachel Reeves

Rachel Reeves

Labour — Leeds West and Pudsey

Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 April 2026

Debate

Middle East: Economic Update

Contribution

I thank my hon. Friend for standing up for her constituents in Portsmouth. The purpose of decoupling gas and electricity prices is to reduce the volatility. We all know from our constituencies how much lower-income families and pensioners, in particular, struggle with volatility in gas and electricity prices, because electricity is an essential and people need it for everyday use. Decoupling will smooth out some of the volatility in the price of energy, giving greater certainty to families, pensioners and businesses, which all have to contend with the volatility of the fossil fuel market. That is why we want to move to more contracts for difference, and that is what today’s policy will achieve.

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