First, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Worthington, and the noble Lord, Lord Ravensdale, for bringing forward Amendments 1 and 136 and the noble Lord, Lord Teverson, for his contribution to the debate. As I set out in Committee, although the Government believe
these amendments are well intentioned, ultimately, they are unnecessary. First, the Bill has a clear purpose, so I do not think any introductory clauses are necessary. Where appropriate, the Bill already sets out fairly clear objectives and general duties for the Secretary of State and other specified bodies in carrying out their functions under the relevant parts.
Secondly, in regard to an annual report, I assume noble Lords are aware that the Energy Act 2013 introduced the power for the designation of a strategy and policy statement that sets out the Government’s strategic priorities for energy policy, the roles and responsibilities of those implementing such policy, and the policy outcomes that we want to see achieved. We have committed to a second statutory consultation this spring. I therefore believe that an annual report to Parliament would cause unnecessary duplication of the existing strategy and policy statement.
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Amendment 136 seeks a national electrification and power plan. I of course agree with the noble Lord that electrification plays an important role in energy security, affordable energy, and meeting net zero. That is why it is a core part of the net-zero strategy and British energy security strategy. I fear that I shall disappoint the noble Lord, Lord Teverson—I often seem to do that, but particularly on this occasion—by being able to go no further than saying that by the end of the week, the Government will publish more details about the approach to delivering energy security, consistent with achieving net zero by 2050. I am sure the noble Lord will understand that I cannot set out more details to this House before the other place has been informed, but he will not have long to wait before he receives further details. In some respects, this Report stage is slightly in advance of that, but by the second day of Report, the House will have a lot more information at its disposal. I hope the reassurance that I have been able to give is enough for what the noble Lord, Lord Ravensdale, is seeking, but the announcement later this week will also provide further details on the Government’s approach to transforming the electricity system.
I turn to Amendment 130, tabled by the noble Lords, Lord Teverson and Lord Lennie; Amendment 132, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Lennie, and the noble Baroness, Lady Blake, and Amendment 133, tabled by the noble Lords, Lord Teverson and Lord Hollick, the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman, and my noble friend Lady Altmann, regarding Ofgem’s role in achieving net zero. Again, as I said in Committee, the Government agree with the intent of these amendments but, as we also discussed, we do not think they are necessary. The noble Lord, Lord Lennie, quoted Jonathan Brearley, the chief executive of Ofgem; I actually spoke to him earlier today and was able to receive the reassurance that both he and the Ofgem board have been clear that decarbonisation and the path to the UK’s net-zero goals are already a fundamental part of their duty to protect the interests of future consumers. They have stated that.
I have just mentioned the strategy and policy statement for energy policy in Britain. This document will offer strategic steers to Ofgem on how to deliver the Government’s energy priorities, which will include
providing a strengthened focus on the Government’s net-zero goals to embolden Ofgem to take the challenging decisions that will help decarbonisation in Great Britain and ensure that the energy system is fit for the future.
Ultimately, we agree with the intent of the amendments and will continue to consider the matter during the Bill’s passage in the other place. However, I encourage Peers to reconsider them at this point and note that, for the strategy and policy statement to be designated, it must of course come before Parliament and be approved by a resolution of each House, so Members will get the opportunity to have their say on such a strategy in the future.