Shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint claims the decision for Michael Fallon to combine ministerial roles within the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) shows the government’s priorities are not on energy policy.
She said: “In the next decade Britain needs to attract over £100 billion of investment to keep the lights on.
“But David Cameron appears to think that keeping tabs on his unruly Tory backbenchers is more important than the country’s energy policy.”
Shadow energy minister Tom Greatrex also criticised the mini-reshuffle saying “it looks like a reduced focus on the energy bill”.
However, the move which sees Fallon replace Hayes and add the energy brief to ministerial role at BIS, has largely been welcomed by the industry, which has praised the “joined up approach”.
Renewable UK chief executive Maria McCaffery was “delighted” that Fallon, the Conservative MP for Sevenoaks, was appointed as the new energy minister.
She said: “Michael Fallon’s dual role will ensure that two major government departments – energy and business – will work even more closely together in order to deliver tens of thousands of low carbon jobs.”
David Smith, chief executive at the Energy Networks Association (ENA) said “we are very much encouraged with the news that Michael Fallon will retain his role within BIS because of the critical role innovation will play as we develop a smart grid.”
Energy UK’s chief executive Angela Knight welcomed Fallon to his new role at Decc and said “we have enjoyed working with John and his “refreshing approach”.
She added: “We look forward to working with Michael and together bringing the drive and impetus needed to resolve our growing energy challenge.”
Energy secretary Ed Davey praised his former minister, adding Hayes and he “worked well as an effective team”.
Davey said Fallon will “make an excellent addition to the team”, and “he will help to cement the links I’ve been making across government as energy is such a critical industry for the UK’s growth prospects, and the creation of green jobs”.
New energy minister Fallon added: “Bother departments share a strong focus on business and the economy and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to build on their cross cutting work on this agenda.”