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industry & government news

UK HOUSEHOLDS KWASI KWARTENG TAKES OVER
URGED TO BRACE FOR FROM ALOK SHARMA AS BUSINESS

£80-A-YEAR HIKE IN SECRETARY IN MINI-RESHUFFLE

ENERGY BILLS

PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON challenge of our time is climate
has appointed Alok Sharma as full-time change and we need to work together
President of the UN COP26 climate to deliver a cleaner, greener world
conference in Glasgow this November, and build back better for present and
with Kwasi Kwarteng appointed as future generations.
Secretary of State for Business, Energy “Through the UK’s presidency of
THE CAP WAS INTENDED and Industrial Strategy. COP26, we have a unique opportunity,
TO PROTECT CUSTOMERS COP26 will be the largest summit working with friends and partners
the UK has ever hosted, bringing around the world, to deliver on this goal.
MILLIONS OF HOUSEHOLDS should together representatives from nearly “Given the vital importance of
brace themselves for an energy 200 countries, including world leaders, tackling climate change, I am delighted
bill hike of more than £80 a year experts, and campaigners. to have been asked by the Prime
from April as Ofgem lifts the cap on To meet the high ambitions for the Minister to dedicate all my energies to
standard energy tariffs, according to summit in the year of COP26, Alok this urgent task.”
the regulator’s Chief Executive. Sharma will solely focus on driving Kwasi Kwarteng has been appointed
Jonathan Brearley said Ofgem forward coordinated global action to Secretary of State for Business, Energy
would announce plans to lift the tackle climate change. A successful and Industrial Strategy.
energy price cap for the first time in summit in November will be critical With a wealth of experience
two years and warned that the move if we want to meet the objectives set working in the department, with
would wipe out the £84-a-year cut out by the Paris Agreement and reduce industry and across government in
brought in last year. global emissions. The UK has set a his previous role as Minister of State,
In total, the increase could raise the high bar, with a recent commitment to Kwasi Kwarteng will lead and bring
dual-fuel energy bills for 11 million reduce emissions by at least 68 per cent together work on business, science
households to £1,126 a year from by 2030, The Energyst reports. and innovation to unleash investment
April, when the government’s job Alok Sharma has been a leading force and growth in his new role.
support scheme is due to reach its behind the UK’s climate diplomacy Anne-Marie Trevelyan will become
final weeks, reports The Guardian. since assuming the role in February Minister of State for Business, Energy
“I understand that any change in 2020. The Climate Ambition Summit and Clean Growth, taking forward
energy prices right now is not going co-hosted by the UK in December last climate and energy policy, including
to be welcomed by customers,” year saw 75 world leaders set out new implementing plans in the Prime
Brearley said. commitments to climate action. Minister’s ten-point plan for a Green
The Ofgem boss blamed the The COP26 President will be based Industrial Revolution.
looming hike in standard variable in the Cabinet Office, continuing as a She will also continue in her role
energy tariffs on the steady rise in the full member of Cabinet, and will chair as UK’s International Champion
market price for gas and electricity. the Climate Action Implementation on Adaptation and Resilience for
The price cap increase may include Committee to coordinate government the COP26 presidency, supporting
up to £21 for energy suppliers to help action towards net zero by 2050 in the countries vulnerable to climate
recover the cost of unpaid bills during run up to COP26. change to adapt to its impacts and
the coronavirus pandemic, but a final Alok Sharma said: “The biggest build resilience.
decision on this amount has yet to be
made, he added.
“The price cap is intended to
protect customers against unfair
charging. It’s never intended to be the
best price in the market,” Brearley
said. “If you want the best price then
you should get in there and switch
your supplier. I’ve just done so
myself, and I do it every year. That is
the best way to get good value.”
Almost 500,000 energy customers
switched to a new supplier each
month last year, according to figures
from the industry group Energy UK.
This compares with a total of 6.4
million for the whole of 2019.
ALOK SHARMA KWASI KWARTENG

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11/02/2021 08:48
News.indd 2
News.indd 2 11/02/2021 08:48