Iran war proves green energy is vital, says MP

The Iran war has proved that the government's plan for green energy is "absolutely right", a Merseyside MP has said.

It is feared the Middle East conflict will push up prices for energy, fuel and food. Crude oil prices have risen by 27% since the conflict began.

A BBC investigation recently found that people have stolen electricity in Manchester, as people struggle to pay energy bills.

Bill Esterson, Labour MP for Sefton Central, told BBC Politics North West: "The long term with oil and gas prices is a worry."

He added: "But one of the things it does actually show is that the energy transition is absolutely right.

"Gas sets the price of energy for 80-90% of the time.

"The way to get long term cheaper bills is to get off our reliance on the very volatile nature of oil and gas markets."

Energy minister Ed Miliband has said the government's drive to deliver clean power is "the best way" to bring down energy costs, amid calls from opposition parties to scrap green levies.

He said the UK's dependence on fossil fuels was its "Achilles' heel" and argued clean power was the only way to reduce bills.

The UK government is aiming for clean power to meet 95% of electricity demand by 2030, and Miliband has pledged to lower average bills by £300 by that date.

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