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Govt energy stats show UK is increasingly dependent on imported gas
28 July 2011
Responding to new Government statistics on UK energy production and consumption released today (Thursday 28 July 2011), Friends of the Earth's Head of Science, Policy and Research Mike Childs said:
"The UK is becoming ever more dependent on foreign gas, importing 30 per cent more in 2010 than in 2009.
"Not only are householders suffering rocketing fuel bills caused by hikes in gas prices - our energy supplies are increasingly vulnerable.
"Only a switch to clean British power and slashing energy waste will cut fuel bills and secure our energy in the long run.
"The Government must halt our dash for gas, insulate our homes and boost the UK's fledgling green power sector."
Notes to editors:
1. The new Government statistics analysing the production, transformation and consumption of energy in the UK in 2011 can be found on the DECC website: http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/stats/publications/dukes/2329-statistical-press-release.pdf
2. Between 1999 and 2009 UK gas prices for domestic consumers increased by 104 per cent: http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/Statistics/publications/brief/190-uk-energy-in-brief-2010.pdf (page 35)
3. Centrica today (28 July 2011) announced profits of £1.3bn in the last six months: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14321673
4. Yesterday (27 July 2011) Ofgem fined British Gas £2.5bn for poor customer service: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14303264
5. On Monday Friends of the Earth welcomed a report by MPs calling for an end to "Del Boy" sales tactics by the major energy companies selling energy tariffs door-to-door: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/energy_companies_25072011.html
6. Recent Friends of the Earth analysis shows that green policies are our only hope of stabilising UK energy bills by weaning us off increasingly expensive oil and gas: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/emr_12072011.html.
7. Friends of the Earth wants the Energy Bill currently going through Parliament to ensure that all councils have a climate change strategy, bring forward to 2016 the proposed minimum energy efficiency standard for rented homes, and introduce compressive energy efficiency strategy which is sufficient to meet carbon targets and end fuel poverty.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2011
