Reacting to new analysis published today (Wednesday 27 March 2013) highlighting the extent to which Government’s energy and climate change policies are tempering the impact on household energy bills of global gas prices and network costs, Friends of the Earth's Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said:

"Building a 21st century energy system is overdue. The longer we hesitate the more it will eventually cost – and the greater the risk to our lives and livelihoods of devastating climate change.

“This report confirms that gas price hikes have been the driving force behind our soaring fuel bills and that spending more on clean power and energy saving is a wise investment for our economy – provided it’s done with clarity and vision.

“Harvesting the UK’s huge clean power potential and a comprehensive energy efficiency programme, financed by carbon taxes, is our best bet for tackling climate change and stabilising future fuel bills. Failure to do so will be costly for us all.

“Ministers must boost investor confidence in a low-carbon economy – starting with a 2030 decarbonisation target in the Energy Bill.”

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to

• End the short-sighted ‘dash for gas’, and invest in Clean British Energy from the wind, waves and sun

• Develop an ambitious and comprehensible energy efficiency programme. This should include using money raised from carbon taxes and be prioritised on insulating the homes of those in fuel poverty

• Give certainty for investment in clean energy by amending the Energy Bill to include a 2030 target for decarbonising the power sector

ENDS