Liberal Democrat annual conference 2011: Energy Secretary speech

Liberal Democrat annual conference 2011: Energy Secretary speech; Chris Huhne MP speech SOT - Other people argue that we cannot afford to boost the low carbon economy. It would be cheaper, they say, to rely only on oil and gas. To say it is to laugh at it. World gas, and hence electricity, prices have leapt by a third thanks to Libya and far eastern growth. Global factors. So we should surely try to limit our dependence on oil and gas, not increase it. Particularly as our own North Sea resources are running down. In the storm-tossed seas we have to sail, low carbon energy gives us security. Assurance. Safety. British energy consumers will on average be better off in 2020 thanks to our low carbon policies. Yes, I said better off. Getting off the oil and gas price hook and onto clean, green energy makes sense. And with energy saving, we can offset the effects of higher prices and end up with lower bills. In one generation, we will go from fossil fuel smokestack to low carbon cash back. But there is hardship now, and we are determined to help. Higher energy bills hurt. None of us should have to save on warmth in a cold winter. Some of the most vulnerable and elderly will shiver, and worse, if we do not help. - That is why this Government is boosting by two-thirds the discounts to help people in fuel poverty. Why our Warm Homes Discount is a statutory scheme, not a grace and favour handout relying on energy companies' good will. That is also why this Government will make those in fuel poverty a top priority for the Green Deal, helped by our ECO subsidy. Improving people's homes cuts fuel poverty forever, while a discount only cuts fuel poverty for a year. Year after year, fuel poverty rose under Labour. Now we are helping the poor where Labour flannelled. We are acting where Labour talked. We are delivering where Labour failed. But it is not just the fuel poor who need help. Today I can announce a new package to help the hard-pressed consumer this winter and ...