The are embroiled in a new row over how to help the country deal with a potential winter power crisis today after Liz Truss vetoed a public information campaign for being too ‘nanny state’.
Backbench MPs attacked No10’s decision to nix a £15million plan advising people to turn off the heating in unused rooms, and when they leave the house, Kombi Servisi that had been approved by Business Secretary .
Allies of the Business Secretary said the Beis public information campaign would have been ‘light touch’ and help save up to £300 per household but it has been stamped on by ‘s No10 operation for being too ‘interventionist’ and replicating information available elsewhere.
But the decision sparked unease on the backbenches from MPs already fractious over the PM’s financial plans during her first month in power.
Former minister Guy Opperman tweeted: ‘Fully behind an energy saving campaign … reduction in energy helps constituents save money and saves the taxpayer money, as the public sector should lead the way.Reduce usage, Kombi Servisi while we address supply. Government must act….
‘This is not nanny state. It is preserving supply, saving money for everyone, and encouraging localism.’
But asked why the Prime Minister might be opposed to a public information campaign on reducing energy consumption, Climate Minister Graham Stuart told LBC: ‘Technically, a general campaign about reducing energy would probably make no difference to our energy security.So, that would be a good reason not to do it.
‘We’re also hesitant to tell people what they should do when we’re not a nanny-state government. What we are prepared to do is talk to the big energy users and talk to consumers with smart technology about rewarding them for kombi servisi reducing energy at the peak times.
‘The danger is if you had a sort of general »use less energy» message that the wrong lessons would be taken on board by people.’
The public information campaign, kombi Servisi which had echoes of one fronted by TV cook Delia Smith in the 1970s, was culled as the National Grid warned of possible electricity blackouts this winter as the system struggles to cope with demand.
It launched its own scheme to offer people cashback on their bills if they throttle usage at peak times.
But there was a backlash against those as well because the deal relies on smart meters, which are unreliable and have been installed in around only half of homes and small businesses.It means tens of millions of people will miss out.
Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg signed off a £15million public information campaign that would encourage people to take simple measures like turning off radiators in empty rooms and switching the heating off when they go out.
When asked if people should be using less energy, Climate Minister Graham Stuart told LBC: ‘We’re not a nanny state government’.
Former minister Guy Opperman tweeted: ‘Fully behind an energy saving campaign …reduction in energy helps constituents save money and saves the taxpayer money, as the public sector should lead the way. Reduce usage, kombi servisi while we address supply. If you have virtually any issues relating to wherever and the way to use kombi Servisi, you are able to contact us on our own web-page. Government must act….
Prime Minister Liz Truss meets with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
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