Parliament is set to vote on a controversial new bill that will not improve energy security or lower bills - just distract from the real issues. We need our MPs to say no to political gimmicks and vote against the bill.
Caroline Lucas MP is hosting a debate on Fossil Fuels and Increases in the Cost of Living in Parliament at Westminster Hall on the 11th of January from 9.30am to 11am. It's a great opportunity for us to show MPs why fixing the cost of living crisis means taking the leap away from fossil fuels - and why it needs to happen now. But first, we need to get MPs in the hall.
The Offshore Petroleum Licensing (OPL) Bill returns to Parliament on Tuesday 20th February. This bill would require the oil and gas regulator for the North Sea to offer licences every year to companies looking to explore the seabed for oil and gas. It would mean committing to a huge expansion of oil and gas for decades to come. But even the regulator itself has said this legislation "not necessary" as it already has the power to issue licences when it sees fit. This is a pointless piece of legislation, a political gimmick to create division and distract from the real issues that households all over the country are facing.
When so many are still struggling to make ends meet, we cannot let the government ignore the real solutions that would bring down bills permanently, like upgrading homes and expanding homegrown renewable energy. More expensive, polluting fossil fuels will do nothing to bring down bills or fix our broken energy system.
Our MPs have an opportunity to say no to political posturing and reject the rip-off system that only benefits energy giants. Will you ask your MP to vote against the OPL Bill on Tuesday?
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You were elected to government with an enormous majority on the promise of change. You have a real opportunity - and responsibility - to deliver it. We’re encouraged to see that you’ve already stuck by your promise to end the ban on new onshore wind in England. But there’s still much more to do to make our energy system fairer and protect households this winter.
For too long, our broken energy system has prioritised oil and gas company profits and left millions of people living in cold, damp, mouldy homes, forced to make a stark choice between heating our homes and eating.
Millions of people are still living in fuel poverty. Whilst energy bills fell in the summer, we all know the benefits will be wiped out when they rise again in October. At a time of soaring energy debt, many of us simply cannot afford another winter of the same old system.
In your manifesto, you promised urgently needed change: to lower energy bills, insulate homes and invest in homegrown clean energy while getting us off oil and gas. Now, you must take urgent action to support struggling households through the coming winter.
We urge you to stick to the promises you made and deliver on them for communities all across the UK by: protecting vulnerable households, launching a Help to Repay energy debt scheme, expanding renewables, banning forced prepayment meters and ensuring smart meters work for all who want them, ramping up insulation programmes, reforming standing charges and ending energy industry profiteering.
There are simple and immediate ways you can begin to deliver on your commitments, and make things fairer for households, including:
- Launching the Warm Homes Plan
- Introducing a more comprehensive Warm Homes Discount this winter
- Protecting us from soaring energy prices by getting off oil and gas for good
We voted for bold solutions to the energy crisis.
As the UK government, you have a once in a generation opportunity to show that you will bring meaningful change to fix our broken energy system for good.
