11/11/2011

Government Criticised Over Solar Subsidy Cut

The Government is facing criticism over its decision to halve its subsidies for homeowners to install solar technology.

The scheme paid solar panel users for the electricity they generated, but these 'feed-in tariffs' are to be cut following an announcement by Energy Secretary Gregory Barker.

Responding to the decision on Friday, the UK's biggest business lobbying group, the CBI, has criticised the decision saying it would force companies to cancel planned work, destroying projects and jobs.

In a speech during the CBI East Midlands annual dinner on Thursday, CBI director general, Jonathan Cridland said: "Moving the goal posts doesn't just destroy projects and jobs, it creates a mood of uncertainty that puts off investors and they wonder what's coming next."

The government said the changes would ensure the scheme carried on in future.

Meanwhile, Caroline Flint MP, Labour’s Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, reacting to criticism by the CBI, said: “This is a deliberate kick in the teeth for people who are doing their best to protect themselves from soaring energy bills – and it shows just how out of touch this Government is. The cuts to solar go too far and too fast, and will have a devastating impact on customers and industry.”

The new arrangements will see the money households get for generating electricity fall from from 43p per kilowatt-hour to 21p next month.

(DW)

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