Tory MPs warn that pursuing “cultish” environmental policies could result in customers paying more
Conservative MPs have warned that the flagship energy law is a “recipe for energy disaster” and risks customers having to pay more to implement “cultish” environmental policies.
Former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg was among a group of Tories who urged ministers to “keep people with us” and avoid “undue burdens” while reforming the energy sector and pursuing net zero emissions targets .
The bill aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, unlock investment in low-carbon energy technologies, increase resilience and produce more energy in the UK, and reduce energy bills in the longer term.
This world-leading, historic bill, a conservative bill, will deliver cleaner, cheaper and safer energy to this country
The government avoided a possible rebellion from some of its backbenchers by announcing ahead of Tuesday’s report stage debate that planning permissions for onshore wind farms should be relaxed.
Energy Minister Andrew Bowie also confirmed changes to scrap the proposed hydrogen levy on households and said the government would explore the potential of renewable liquid heating fuels for heat by conducting a consultation within 12 months.
However, several Tory MPs expressed concerns about the far-reaching impact of the bill and suggested there was a risk of going too far too soon.
The bill was approved by the House of Commons after MPs voted in favor of it at third reading by 280 to 19, with a majority of 261 – although the voting list showed nine Tory MPs, including Sir Jacob, opposed it.
Another rebel, Craig Mackinlay, leader of the backbench Tory Net Zero Scrutiny Group, told the House of Commons: “I have to say I absolutely despise this bill.”
This will be the first time that we may criminalize people in this country for not adhering to this new net zero code. We should not do this lightly
On plans that could see property owners who fail to comply with new energy efficiency rules face jail, he said: “I feel that if we are going to impose criminal sanctions at this point, it is a duty to do so properly will be discussed.” Fellow citizens could face a 12-month prison sentence for an unknown future offense related to net zero.
“This will be the first time we potentially criminalize people in this country for not adhering to this new net zero code. We should not do this lightly.”
The MP for South Thanet also argued that the bill will “drive even more of our high energy business overseas and China will be very pleased that it can sell us more solar panels and wind turbines based on the steel it produces at the back of the country “very cheap coal-fired electricity”.
He continued: “This is not a recipe for energy security, it is a recipe for energy disaster, and I could talk at length about what is wrong with the net zero proposals: banning cars, banning oil boilers, banning this, banning that “To ban.” is not what we do as conservatives.
“We actually allow freedoms, we allow the market to decide, and this bill goes in the wrong direction.”
We need to convince people that green products are becoming cheaper, better, more acceptable and making a more general contribution. We shouldn’t try to deceive them
Sir Jacob said several amendments tabled by Mr Mackinlay aimed to “reduce the burden this bill places on all our constituents”, adding: “Through this bill we are creating costs and regulation and penalties and liabilities.”
He added: “We need to keep people with us and risk losing them if we impose undue burdens on them.”
Sir John Redwood, another former Tory minister, said: “The desire to carry out a major electric revolution will require a lot of goodwill from the British people.”
“I fear that this legislation may anger them by being overly restrictive and particularly by threatening civil and even criminal sanctions for some of their conduct.
“We need to convince people that green products are becoming cheaper, better, more acceptable and making a more general contribution. We shouldn’t try to deceive them.”
(This bill) will improve this country while helping to reduce bills for the British people
Richard Drax, Tory MP for South Dorset, said the “green revolution is just around the corner”, but added: “We cannot allow our country to become impoverished to become, well, I would almost say sectarian in some cases “If we can afford it until it works, then I think we should adopt all of these policies.”
Speaking at the start of the reporting phase, Mr Bowie said: “This world-leading, historic bill, a Conservative bill, will deliver cleaner, cheaper and safer energy to this country.”
“It will improve this country while helping to reduce bills for the British people.”
For Labour, shadow climate change minister Alan Whitehead said the “long time” it took for the bill to pass through Parliament had had a “real impact on investors” wanting to support the low-carbon economy.
https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/tory-mps-warn-pursuit-of-cultish-ecopolicies-could-see-customers-paying-more-b1105066.html Tory MPs warn that pursuing “cultish” environmental policies could result in customers paying more
