Energy

Conservative & Labour Liberal Democrats
During the Conservatives previous government they:
  • Failed to invest in energy conservation.
  • Failed to invest in renewable energy.
  • Failed to develop a coherent energy strategy.
  • Used unfair ways to approach the Rio targets by putting VAT on fuel and raising petrol duty.
  • Created unnecessary bureaucracy by privatising electricity.
  • Relied heavily on nuclear power which is both expensive and unsafe. 
  • Closing down most of Britain's coal pits in favour of imported coal.

Labour's links to the Trade Unions means that they are still tied to traditional methods of generating electricity, including nuclear power.

 Liberal Democrats would take tough action to cut pollution and save scarce resources. We would:
  • Use taxes and incentives to deter those who waste energy and reward those who respect it. We would shift the burden of taxation so that it encourages people and employment rather than pollution and waste.
  • VAT levels on energy saving materials will be reduced , to compare favourably with VAT levels on energy use.
  • Invest more into renewable energy sources, such as wind, wave and solar power, so these can meet a fifth of our electricity needs with 15 years.
  • Phase out nuclear power by 2020 at the least.
  • Stop the utilities from ruining the environment for quick profits.
  • A sustained reduction in the energy ratio (energy use:GDP), through investment in and promotion of energy efficiency and conservation measures (including grants for home insulation, etc.)
  • Support for the EU proposal for an energy/carbon tax, creating incentives to conserve energy and reduce pollution
  • The establishment of a system of tradable emission licences of pollutants produced by industry.
  • A target of 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from the UK over 15 years, with lower emissions of other greenhouse gases to reduce the rate of global warming.
  • Launch a major energy conservation programme targeted on low incomes and high need households. Funded by electricity and gas suppliers. Supply companies will have to guarantee energy conservation to win their contracts.
  • Introduce a waterfall levy to combat water leakage, to fund a National Water Services Trust, dedicated to providing extra resources nation-wide to reduce water leakage.
  • Introduce comprehensive and easily understood European wide eco-labelling and energy efficient labelling schemes.

 

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Facts & Figures.

  • Britain could save up to half of it's energy requirements by promoting energy conservation. People will benefit from this by receiving smaller fuel bills.
  • 60% of Britain's energy is wasted through conversion, distribution and consumption.
  • Nearly 30% of water is lost between the companies and the consumer. Since 1992, that leakage has become worse in five out of the major ten water companies. This is despite increased charges which were supposed to improve distribution.
  • Approx. 8 million households in the UK suffer from fuel poverty. This means that people cannot heat their homes due to high heating bills, so houses remain damp and cold. Fuel poverty is caused by poor insulation and we are by far the worst in Europe.
  • It is estimated that Fuel Poverty costs the NHS around £1 billion every year, treating cold-related respiratory illnesses. It is also responsible for an estimated 30-50,000 premature deaths each year.

Questions & Answers.

Q.
Would you have closed down Britain's coal pits?.
A.
No. The Liberal Democrats would have extended coal contracts of 60 million tones per year for the foreseeable future, give the government a veto over the closure of any mine and not restructure the coal industry until the biggest coal buyers are also broken up.

Q.
Did the Liberal Democrats support VAT on fuel?.
A.
No. We support an EU wide energy tax that does not tax standing charges and directs all the revenue to helping those hardest hit and helping the environment. VAT on fuel broke the election pledge of the Conservatives in 1992 and hit the poorest with higher energy bills.

Q.
Phasing out nuclear power would cause drastic energy shortages?.
A.
Nuclear power is risky as well as expensive. Renewable sources of energy conservation provide better alternatives to nuclear power. Britain has enough coal and gas to ensure we will not be short of energy, while these new policies are being implemented.

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