Islwyn MP calls for radical reform of energy industry

Islwyn MP Chris Evans has condemned the power monopoly of the big six energy companies and called for widespread reform of the energy market during a debate in Parliament on Wednesday.

Mr Evans called for a central government controlled body to be introduced into the energy market and run on co-operative lines.

The body would require power plants to sell electricity at fixed rates, which it would sell on to customers, bringing an end to the dominance of the energy companies and helping to drive down prices.

He said: “The big six energy companies have run riot over the energy market for too long. It is hardly surprising they have such a monopoly of power when the power companies control the power stations.

“The energy market has failed and we need a new approach; one which puts consumers and not companies first.

“If this government refuses to act thousands in Islwyn will be forced, yet again, to choose between heating and eating this winter.”
A report published on Wednesday suggested that almost 3,000 people in England and Wales will die this winter because they cannot afford to heat their homes – more than the number killed in traffic accidents each year.

Commissioned by the government, the Hills Fuel Poverty Review found that if just 10% of UK winter deaths are caused by fuel poverty – a conservative estimate it claims – 2,700 people will perish as a direct result of being fuel poor.

The report also found that between 2004 and 2009 the “fuel poverty gap” (the extra amount those with badly insulated homes and poor heating systems would need to spend to keep warm) increased by 50% to £1.1bn as a result of rising fuel prices.