Member

I summarise the third point, which the noble Earl, Lord Russell, raised, as follows: value for money and billpayer burdens. Critics have warned that extending long-term contracts to existing generators without competitive allocation may lock consumers into high strike prices, indicating long-term energy bills to subsidise older facilities. We need to be concerned about that because, ultimately, that is the cost of energy to the consumers. I would be grateful if the Minister could respond to that point.