A funny short week in Westminster following the Bank holiday, but that does not mean that it was not busy! The Energy Bill was properly debated for the first time on Tuesday, a piece of legislation that is seeking to support the delivery of the UK’s climate change commitments through reforming the UK’s energy system and minimising costs to consumers to protect against unfair pricing. I was hoping to speak in the debate, but due to the large number of MPs wishing to speak I was unable to catch the speaker’s eye. I wanted to highlight the importance of supporting off-grid households in rural communities like ours as we transition to greener technologies, and also raise some concerns I have about consumer engagement.
The Government’s current strategy for heating homes in the future as gas boilers are phased out, is for all rural properties to have heat pumps installed. This is not feasible. The average cost of installing a heat pump is £12,400. Hydrogen needs to be kick started as an option with more research. That would mean changing the burner on most modern boilers at minimal cost. The two pilot projects planned for two villages is welcome but not enough. Off-grid homes relying on fossil fuel heating oils need more practical and cost-effective solutions. Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) offers this solution, and having been trialled in properties in Cornwall at the cost of £500 per property and taking less than an hour to install, it seems like a no-brainer. I will be supporting amendments to the Bill that promote solutions such as this.
The Net Zero journey will never be completed on time without taking consumers with us. They need to want to change, be able to afford to change, and see a benefit from making the change. So, we need to think more sensibly about how we do this. Is it sensible to set targets for manufacturers to produce electric cars – but no target for the rollout of charging points? No! Is it sensible to set targets for the installation of smart meters without setting out and putting in place cost benefit charging tariffs and delivering meters that every property can have installed? I have met many a consumer frustrated by the roll out offer only to be told they couldn’t have a meter because their property was not suitable! The benefit will be minimal until more of us start charging our cars at home. Let’s get meters that work for all first.
All of that said energy management is important and with better information and advice entirely possible. It was great to meet with PJW Meters this week, a local energy management company who provide just that sort of service. There are so many resources we could better manage - electricity, water and our time! Meters can help us do that. The landscape is changing fast and I was delighted to hear about the many new solutions available, how the company was helping local businesses on their journey and how it was helping to build the local skills base taking on two new apprentices.
Our Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, visited Westminster to launch the Devon and Cornwall police’s new Victim Care support programme. Their new website offers a live 24/7 webchat support service, a phone support service, and a place to understand your individual rights as a victim of crime. I asked for information cards and leaflets to be placed in local police stations and supermarkets to ensure that people that need the support are aware of this service.
And finally, back home for the weekend, I was delighted to listen to Teign Choral Society who were in excellent singing voice at St Michaels Church on Saturday. As ever singing popular tune Joseph’s Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber, alongside the less well-known traditional pieces like Mass in D major by Dvorak. I thoroughly enjoyed my evening listening to them!
As always, if you would like to book a surgery appointment (in-person or virtual) or raise a specific issue, please call my office on 01626 368277 or email annemarie.morris.mp@parliament.uk to arrange an appointment.