Commenting on the Treasury’s refusal to give evidence to a committee of MPs investigating the Energy Bill, Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said:

“It’s outrageous that Treasury ministers are refusing to give evidence to MPs on the Energy Bill.

“George Osborne’s department is clearly pulling the strings on this crucial legislation - at the very least the Energy and Climate Committee should be able to hold them to account.

“Energy Minister Ed Davey must fight for investment in clean British energy from the wind, waves and sun and free our electricity system from increasingly expensive fossil fuels.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. A letter from Tim Yeo, Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Committee to Chloe Smith MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury says:
“We are somewhat perplexed by your assertion that it would be improper for a Treasury Minister to discuss in Committee legislation that is led by another Government department. HMT's levy control framework, and the Government decision not to underwrite CFDs, both have dramatic implications for whether or not the legislation can deliver the objectives agreed for it by collective Government decision. This Committee has been asked to examine the draft Bill, on an incredibly tight timeframe, and your refusal to give oral evidence will seriously inhibit the effectiveness of our inquiry. MPs believe this is disingenuous because the Treasury's cap on the environmental levy on energy bills will effectively determine policy.”