Commenting on the warning today (Tuesday 19 February) by Ofgem Chief Executive Alistair Buchanan that consumers face higher energy bills as the UK becomes more reliant on energy imports, Friends of the Earth Energy Campaigner Guy Shrubsole said:

"This is yet another stark warning that UK energy policy is heading in the wrong direction - and the Government's reckless dash for gas will only make matters worse.

"Ministers must urgently tackle rocketing fuel bills by introducing a comprehensive energy saving programme and ending the nation's reliance on increasingly costly fossil fuels.

"The Energy Bill currently going through Parliament must be amended to include a clean power target to give businesses the confidence to invest in the UK's huge wind, wave and solar resources, create jobs, and provide energy we can all afford."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy campaign is urging the Government to tackle climate change by setting a target in the Energy Bill to clean up our electricity by 2030. Getting off fossil fuels will cut the carbon out of our power system and create thousands of jobs, and give the UK the chance to become a world leader in renewable energy technologies. To find out more and back the campaign visit www.cleanbritishenergy.co.uk, and show the world that we’re serious about climate change.