Energy Bill receives second reading
23 December 2010 (updated on 23 December 2010)
The Energy Bill received its second reading – a general debate on all aspects of the Bill – in the House of Lords on Wednesday 22 December.
- Watch the debate: Energy Bill – second reading
- Lords Hansard: read a transcript of the debate
- Bills before Parliament: Energy Bill
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Lord Marland opened the debate.
Issues raised in the wide-ranging discussion included carbon emissions, energy security and the next generation of low carbon energy.
Among the aims of the Bill are to make provision for the arrangement and financing of energy efficiency improvements to properties by owners-occupiers, and in the private rented sector; the promotion by energy companies of reductions in carbon emissions and home-heating costs; and increasing the security of energy supplies.
The committee stage of the Energy Bill – line by line examination – begins on 17 January.
Further information
The second reading of a Bill usually takes place two weeks after the first reading. The government minister or a senior spokesperson in the Lords for the government department responsible for the Bill opens the debate. Second reading provides the first opportunity for Members of the Lords to discuss the purpose of a Bill and its main principles.