Energy Bill deal agreed

THE Coalition has reached a deal which will see the long awaited Energy Bill published next week but is likely to prove controversial with consumers.

Last night the Government said it would approve a trebling of the amount spent on low carbon energy to £7.6bn.

But it is thought the measures could collectively add around £178 a year to energy bills by 2030.

Businesses in Yorkshire have been urging the Government to press ahead with the Energy Bill, seen as a key step to unlocking the region’s green energy potential.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said: “This is a durable agreement across the Coalition against which companies can invest and support jobs and our economic recovery.

“The decisions we’ve reached are true to the Coalition Agreement, they mean we can introduce the Energy Bill next week and have essential electricity market reforms up and running by 2014 as planned.

“They will allow us to meet our legally binding carbon reduction and renewable energy obligations and will bring on the investment required to keep the lights on and bills affordable for consumers.”