Remaining stages of the Energy Bill [HL]
15 September 2011 (updated on 15 September 2011)
The House of Commons held the report stage and third reading of the Energy Bill on Wednesday 14 September.
Summary of the Bill
The flagship policy in the Bill is the 'Green Deal', a scheme whereby householders, private landlords and businesses would be given finance upfront to make energy efficiency improvements, which would then be paid for by energy bill savings. It also introduces a range of other provisions.
Key areas
- establishes a new obligation on energy companies to help certain groups of consumers, who need extra support, with saving energy
- facilitates the roll-out of smart meters
- widens access to energy performance certificates
- makes information on energy bills clearer
- introduces measures designed to help improve energy security and to encourage low carbon generation
- grants additional powers to the Coal Authority to charge for certain services.
Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation on the Energy Bill [HL]. Also find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.
Report stage proceedings
MPs considered New Clauses 1, 10, 11, 12, 13 and amendments 4, 29-36, 37-44 and 47.
New Clause 1 related to energy efficiency aim and was read a first and second time and negatived on division (Ayes: 229, Noes: 300).
New Clause 10 related to green deal installation apprenticeships and was read a first and second time and added to the Bill.
New Clause 11 related to agreement about modifying decommissioning programme and was read a first and second time and added to the Bill.
New Clause 12 related to adjustment of electricity transmission charges and was read a first and second time and added to the Bill.
New Clause 13 related to consultation and was read a first and second time and added to the Bill.
Amendment 4 was negatived on division (Ayes: 128, Noes 278).
Amendments 29-36 and 37-44 were added to the Bill without a division.
Amendment 47 was negatived on division (Ayes: 219, Noes 281).
The Bill was read a third without a division and Commons amendments to the Bill will now be considered by the House of Lords.
Watch and read the views expressed by MPs during the report stage and third reading proceedings on Parliament TV and in Commons Hansard.
- Parliament TV: Remaining stages of Energy Bill [HL]
- Commons Hansard: Remaining stages of Energy Bill [HL]
Report stage and third reading
The report stage gives MPs an opportunity, on the floor of the House, to consider further amendments (proposals for change) to a Bill which has been examined in committee.There is no set time period between the end of committee stage and the start of the report stage.
What happens at report stage?
All MPs may speak and vote, for lengthy or complex Bills the debates may be spread over several days. All MPs can suggest amendments to the Bill or new clauses (parts) they think should be added.
What happens after report stage?
Report stage is usually followed immediately by debate on the Bill's third reading.
What happens at third reading?
Debate on the Bill is usually short, and limited to what is actually in the Bill, rather than, as at second reading, what might have been included.
Amendments (proposals for change) cannot be made to a Bill at third reading in the Commons.
At the end of the debate, the House decides (votes on) whether to approve the third reading of the Bill.
What happens after third reading?
If the Bill started in the Commons it goes to the House of Lords for its first reading. If the Bill started in the Lords it returns to the House of Lords for consideration of any amendments the Commons has made.