Political scrutiny of utilities is at a 25-year high as we head towards the 2015 general election.

Politicians of all persuasions are courting votes and setting out their visions for the future of the UK’s energy and water sectors.

As the election campaigns gain momentum and the politicking gets fiercer, now more than ever utilities need to be kept up to date on the ever-changing political landscape.

In an exclusive poll for Utility Week, you have outlined just how important the coming election is for the sector (see pie charts, Utilities polled, right).

Radical reforms could be just over the horizon whatever the result on 7 May, and Utility Week Lobby is here to take you through the key issues, each party’s stance, and what it all means.

As the major parties outline their plans for the future of the UK economy, utilities will be asking whether they understand the true value of services provided by the energy and water sectors.

•    How will the new government deal with resilience and sustainability?

•    How high will social policies and affordability be on the new government’s agenda?

•    What further reforms will there be to the planning system to allow new and significant infrastructure projects to get off the ground?

•    What does the future fold for Ofgem, Ofwat, Decc and Defra?

•    How will the new regime affect investor confidence? Utility Week Lobby will take you through the next ten weeks right up to polling day, explaining what it all means and how it could have an impact on the business of utilities.

We are also going beyond the 7 May polling day into the new political world, whatever its colours. A series of high-profile events at this autumn’s party conferences and in Westminster over the next year will facilitate dialogue between utilities and politicians at the highest level.

Not only are we explaining the policies, we are helping you to set the agenda.

So join Utility Week Lobby as we take you through to the general election, talking to the key parties, the key figures, and providing you with the key information you need as Britain heads to the polls.

 

The big issues

infrastructure

• The commitments of the Climate Change Act dictate where the new government must head on energy policy – so finding out how these will be met, and how much they will cost, is imperative. Renewables and fossil fuel developers have projects that depend upon the way in which the new government decides it will achieve these goals.

• Abstraction reform and resilience are top of the agenda in water and, under totex, the days of pouring concrete are over.

• The controversial Infrastructure Bill has been rushed through, including the aquifer fracking ban that was adopted, and then “watered down” by the government. Further details are expected in the eagerly awaited secondary legislation.

Customers

• Affordability is the big potential vote winner. The amount utilities charge and the support they offer – and are required to offer – their customers is a big doorstep selling point. The promise of cheaper bills will have a knock-on effect across utilities as the new government focuses on costs, charges, and profits.

• The future of the regulators is up in the air. Labour is keen to scrap Ofgem, and the coalition parties in government want the competitive market to deliver lower prices and good service.

Finance

• Investment is crucial to utilities, and the sector’s historic stability has given it access to cash on attractive terms. This is now under threat. Any new government must provide the confidence necessary to bring forward investment.

• The major parties have all planned crackdowns on tax. Labour wants the big companies to pay their “fair share” of tax, and would close loopholes to get them to pay up. The Tories are also taking a closer look at the tax system.

 

The contenders

“Short-term populism is the most dangerous enemy that energy and climate change policy has.”

Ed Davey – energy secretary (Liberal Democrat)

Renewables champion Davey is also eager to speed up switching to “supercharge” competition.

 

“I support renewable energy but we need to do it in a way that gives the most value for money.”

Matthew Hancock – energy minister (Conservative)

Hancock wants to see renewables’ reliance on subsidies reduced. He is also an advocate of fracking.

 

“The government is all over the shop on energy.”

Caroline Flint – shadow energy secretary (Labour)

Flint will be charged with delivering Ed Miliband’s price freeze pledge should her party win. She champions the consumer and pushes for lower – and fairer – bills, as well as a radical reform to the industry that includes replacing Ofgem.

 

 

“It makes my heart sink to see row upon row of solar panels where once there was a field of wheat or grassland for livestock to graze.”

Elizabeth Truss – environment secretary (Conservative)

Truss is staunchly opposed to large scale solar farms, especially those that are deployed on agricultural land. She supports medium scale solar being placed on commercial rooftops instead. She supports fracking and nuclear as a way to hit green targets.

 

“We’ve done a hell of a lot more than what happened under the last government.”

Dan Rogerson – water minister (Liberal Democrat)

Rogerson fits the Lib Dem mould in wanting to improve water quality and boost flood defences. He supports Suds and calls for greater innovation and investment to be made by water companies.

 

“We need a new deal with the water companies and Labour will deliver it – focused on affordability and fairness for all.”

Maria Eagle – shadow environment secretary (Labour)

Eagle announced Labour’s plans to shake up the water sector with the plan for a national affordability scheme. She is also eager for a Labour government to clamp down on the water firms’ tax affairs.

 

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