28 September 2005
The recent rise in gas and electricity prices has prompted calls for the government's present energy policy to be ditched in favour of intervention to protect consumers.
Yesterday, the Confederation of British Industry and watchdog energywatch called for government to act before it was too late.
Today, shadow energy minister Bernard Jenkin called for full-scale review of UK energy policy, saying ministers needed to prepare plans to maintain security of supplies and ensure fair pricing systems.
Seizing on spiralling energy prices, and the predicted interruptions to gas and electricity supplies, Mr Jenkin said: "We are heading for a major potential failure of energy policy for which the Government is 100 per cent responsible."
Mr Jenkin added: "The government's energy policy is a shambles and makes a mockery of Labour's claim to be the party of British workers. With gas shortages predicted for this winter and the next, and electricity shortages predicted for 2008, the government needs to take some urgent decisions."
The government has defended its policies.
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