MPs debate energy price freeze
2 April 2014
MPs debated a motion on energy price freeze in the House of Commons on Wednesday 2 April 2014. The subject of the debate was chosen by the Opposition.
Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Caroline Flint, opened the debate. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Mr Edward Davey, responded on behalf of the Government.
The Opposition motion was negatived on division (Ayes 248 votes, Noes 275 votes, Division 244).
Debate on energy price freeze
MPs debated the following motion tabled by the Opposition:
"That this House welcomes the decision to refer the energy market to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for investigation; believes that this confirms that the energy market is broken; notes that this investigation could take up to 18 months and will not report until late 2015; further notes the decision by Scottish and Southern Energy to freeze electricity and gas prices until 2016; further believes that all households and businesses should be protected from any more unfair price rises while the CMA investigation is ongoing; and calls on the Government to freeze electricity and gas prices whilst the energy market is reformed to improve transparency, competition and accountability."
The amendment to the Opposition motion was not selected for debate.
- Watch Parliament TV: Opposition debate on energy price freeze
- Read Commons Hansard: Opposition debate on energy price freeze
- Read current Parliamentary material in Topics: Energy
- Read recent Parliament News stories: Energy
Related information
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library produces briefing papers to inform MPs and their staff of key issues. The papers contain factual information and a range of opinions on each subject, and aim to be politically impartial.
- Read Library briefing paper: Components of an energy bill
- Read Library briefing paper: Energy prices
About Opposition day debates
Opposition days are days allocated in the House of Commons in each session for the discussion of subjects chosen by the Opposition.
Seventeen days are at the disposal of the Leader of the Opposition, the leader of the largest opposition party, to decide which matters are debated. Three days are usually divided between the other opposition parties.
The Opposition generally use them to raise questions of policy and administration. Frequently, two separate subjects are debated on an opposition day.
Watching Opposition day debates from the public gallery
UK residents and overseas visitors can watch proceedings in the House of Commons by visiting the public gallery.
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