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Greater Manchester MPs back clean power law to boost green jobs

news release

MPs from across Greater Manchester have pledged their support for renewable energy and green jobs by backing a move to clean up UK power and tackle climate change. [1] [2]

MPs are set to vote next week on amendments to the Energy Bill that would set the Government a legal target to slash carbon emissions from the UK’s power supply by 2030. [3] [4]

Businesses argue the move would reassure companies looking to make long-term investments in the green economy that could bring new jobs to Greater Manchester. [5] [6] Ending Britain’s heavy reliance on gas would also stop rising gas prices from driving up fuel bills. [7]  And opinion polls show that green energy is becoming an increasingly popular choice, with three-quarters of people in favour of prioritising renewables. [8] [9]

But campaigners from Manchester Friends of the Earth are warning that unless other MPs follow suit and the target is set by law, the UK risks failing to meet its targets to tackle climate change and losing out to other countries on investment and jobs.

Ali Abbas, Manchester Friends of the Earth climate campaigner, said:

“We’d like to thank all the MPs who are backing a clean power target that will help tackle climate change and bring new jobs to Greater Manchester, and we urge more local MPs like Andrew Stunell and Graham Brady to follow their lead.

“This is a once-in-a-generation chance to cure the UK’s addiction to increasingly expensive gas and bring rocketing fuel bills under control by insulating our leaky homes and developing cleaner, more popular alternatives such as wind, wave and solar power.”

ENDS

Contacts for comment

Pete Abel, Manchester Friends of the Earth, 07951 642858
Ali Abbas, Manchester Friends of the Earth, 07786 090520

Notes to editor

1. The following MPs have already signed the ‘green jobs’ amendments or pledged to vote in favour of the amendments when they are debated in Parliament:

* Hazel Blears (Salford & Eccles)
* Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe & Sale East)
* Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester Gorton)
* John Leech (Manchester Withington)
* Michael Meacher (Oldham West & Royton)
* Lucy Powell (Manchester Central)
* Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East)
* Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge & Hyde)

2. Over 100 major businesses, parties and charities back the inclusion of a target in the Energy Bill to green electricity by 2030: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/decarb_infographic0.pdf

3. The ‘green jobs’ amendments were tabled in February by Chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee Tim Yeo MP http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/tim_yeo_amendment_08022013.html. This came shortly after the Government tabled its own amendment to the Bill, which Friends of the Earth said was too vague http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/decarbonise_UK_proposals_05022013.html.  They will be debated in Parliament as part of the Report Stage of the Energy Bill on Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 June.

4. High resolution photographs of MPs and green industry workers campaigning over green jobs outside Westminster in November 2012 are available from Friends of the Earth press office – 020 7566 1649.

5. According to the CBI in September 2012, green business accounted for a third of UK growth last year, and accounts for almost one million jobs: http://www.cbi.org.uk/infographics/how-the-uk-can-make-the-most-of-green-growth/.

6. The Renewable Energy Association estimates that the renewables industry could support 400,000 jobs by 2020 and save the economy £60 billion in fossil fuel costs:
http://www.r-e-a.net/news/report-on-employment-and-skills-in-the-uk-renewable-energy-sector-to-be-launched-with-greg-barker

7. The Government’s independent advisers, the Committee on Climate Change, concluded in December 2012 that “continued reliance on unabated gas-fired generation carries the risk of electricity bills for the typical household being up to £600 higher than under a low-carbon power system over the next decades”: http://theccc.org.uk/news/latest-news/1224-low-carbon-policies-provide-insurance-against-risk-of-high-costs-of-unabated-gas-fired-generation-13-december-2012

8. Populus interviewed over 2000 adults in Great Britain online between 19 and 21 September 2012. The poll for Friends of the Earth showed that 72% of people in the UK think the Energy Bill should give high priority to renewable energy (73% of those in the South East, 73% in North East, 72% in North West, 72% in Yorkshire & Humberside, 71% in East Midlands, 70% in East of England, 70% in South West, 69% in London and 68% in West Midlands).  For more information call Friends of the Earth’s press office – 020 7566 1649.

9. Government figures released in September showed that over three quarters of the public (77%) back renewable energy for providing our electricity, fuel and heat. For more information see http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/stats/6410-decc-public-att-track-surv-wave2-summary.pdf.

10. Manchester Friends of the Earth is an award-winning environmental campaign group, raising awareness and lobbying for policy changes at a local, regional, national and international level. The group consists entirely of volunteers, and its campaigns are funded by membership fees and individual donations.  Up-to-date information is available on the group’s website: www.manchesterfoe.org.uk.  Manchester Friends of the Earth is a Licensed Local Group of Friends of the Earth, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

11. Manchester Friends of the Earth has endorsed Manchester: A Certain Future, an action plan for the city of Manchester to cut its carbon emissions by at least 41% by 2020.  For more information, visit www.manchesterclimate.com

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