David Cameron has continued to defend the government’s position on clean energy policy during today’s Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), claiming Britain is leading a “renewables revolution”.
Following a question from Labour MP Sharon Hodgson, who claimed that changes to government policy like the Renewables Obligation was “detrimental to pro-green businesses”, the PM hit back by listing his government’s record on renewables.
“If you look at onshore wind, we’re going to see another 50% increase in onshore wind investment during this parliament. If you look at offshore wind, Britain has got the largest offshore wind market anywhere in the world. If you look at solar, Britain has got the fourth largest solar installation [sic] of any country in the world and as my new favourite statistic, 98% of those solar panels have been installed since I was prime minister.”
“This is all good news and means we have a genuine claim to leading a renewables revolution.”
Cameron went on to defend cuts to renewables subsidy with the line often toed by energy secretary Amber Rudd, adding: “Every single subsidy you give to these technologies is extra money that you put on peoples' bills, making their energy more expensive. So it’s right that we seek a balance between decarbonising our economy but making sure we do it at a low cost to our consumers and the people who pay the bills, and that’s what our policy is all about.”
His comments followed a heated session in front of the Liaison Committee last night, during which he branded any criticism of the government’s green policy as “total and utter nonsense”. This included comments made by Al Gore and the former CBI chair John Cridland, who said in September that roll-back on renewables and energy efficiency “send a worrying signal about the UK as a place for low-carbon investment”.