News from Southampton Labour

Whitehead commends government roll-out of smart meters

Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, welcomed today’s announcement that by 2020 every home in the UK will be equipped with a smart meter to provide more accurate energy read-outs and save people money.

Dr Whitehead, who has been a long term campaigner on the subject of smart meters, congratulated the government on the move which could save UK customers around £100m on energy bills, as well as an estimated 2.6 million tonnes of CO2.

Speaking from Westminster, the Test MP said:

“I am delighted that after many years of hard work on the part of government, the energy industry and campaigners such as myself it has been possible to announce this programme which will allow people to save money with more accurate billing and also to reduce the UK’s CO2 emissions. Smart meters give accurate readings that can be collected remotely which means no more estimated bills, no more disputes with energy providers and no more waiting in for the meter-man.”

He added:

“I am extremely pleased that the government is taking seriously its commitment to tackle fuel poverty and climate-change simultaneously, and to transforming our energy economy. For some time a roll-out of smart meters was seen as too expensive an option, but I am glad that this has now been recognised as a false-economy. It is important to get the message across in these difficult economic circumstances that saving energy also means saving money.”

Other news from Southampton Labour

• Water bills hiked as Southampton Council and Southern Water waste public money - 2 February 2012
• Southampton Labour MPs urge constituents to claim free heating and insulation help - 1 February 2012
• Welfare changes hit poorest areas in Southampton hardest - 1 February 2012