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Hunt’s new power scheme described as “ill-conceived, creating an enormous postcode lottery” | Politics | Information


The plan is geared toward neutralising the Not In My Again Yard (NIMBY) campaigners preventing native infrastructure tasks and reducing the time taken to construct them.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is about to announce the scheme on this week’s Autumn Assertion, in line with sources.

However a £1,000 power sweetener paid yearly for 10 years would solely assist rich rural residents, gasoline poverty campaigners warn.

Jonathan Bean, of Gasoline Poverty Motion, mentioned slashing payments in areas with anti-energy mission campaigns was an “ill-conceived authorities coverage, creating an enormous postcode lottery” when it got here to fuel and electrical energy payments.

“This might imply unaffordable pricing stays for many while a fortunate few pay half,” he added.

“Present common payments are round £2,000 a 12 months but that is so untargeted – there’s no try to handle poverty.

“It’s fairly loopy that some rich individuals in large houses within the countryside may get a giant low cost once we’re seeing some individuals compelled to show off their heating or compelled to go to meals banks.”

Mr Hunt desires to drastically scale back the time to approve and construct pylons, overhead cables and different transmission infrastructure, official sources say.

His intention is to halve the time it takes to ship new electrical energy networks from 14 to seven years bringing ahead £90bn of world funding over the subsequent 10 years.

Wind farms and photo voltaic farms face prolonged delays in connecting to energy networks due to Britain’s ailing grid infrastructure.

However NIMBY protesters are more and more lively in pushing towards any new pylons of their space.

Former surroundings secretary Therese Coffey is among the many senior Tories to have lobbied towards a brand new high-voltage transmission line operating from Norwich to Tilbury in Essex.

The Authorities’s power networks commissioner Nick Winsor has advisable that residents ought to get “beneficiant” compensation if they comply with new energy traces close to their houses.

The reforms are anticipated to incorporate a brand new premium planning service throughout England to ensure quicker pre-application companies for main tasks in alternate for a payment and refunds the place this isn’t met.

Mr Hunt may additionally verify that nationally important low-carbon power infrastructure will probably be designated as a essential nationwide precedence and for the planning system to prioritise the rollout of Electrical Automobile cost factors.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak not too long ago confronted criticism for watering down local weather plans and these reforms are a part of plans to spice up financial development and to assist the UK hit internet zero, officers mentioned.

A Treasury spokesperson mentioned: “Increasing the grid will unlock world funding for Britain and produce enhancements for individuals throughout the nation, with power safety that may preserve power prices down.

“By dashing up the planning system – together with the rollout of Electrical Automobile cost factors – we will probably be tackling one of the vital frequent points raised by companies who’re eager to put money into the UK.”

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