Government not supporting companies who develop low-carbon products

The cross-party Energy and Climate Change Committee has warned that the Government is not achieving its full potential for support given to UK business for innovation of low carbon technologies such as smart meters, heat pumps and renewable energy technologies.

Tim Yeo, Chair of the Energy & Climate Change Select Committee said:

"Entrepreneurs developing exciting new sustainable technologies sometimes need help to bridge the ‘valley of death’ and bring products to market. The Government should be doing all it can to support innovative UK businesses in their efforts to access the growing global market for low-carbon goods and services.” “We were surprised and disappointed to hear businesses and academic partners, among others, express continual frustration at the lack of consultation surrounding the Government’s new low carbon strategy. These innovators could hold the key to getting the UK over the line on our carbon emissions targets, but it’s going to be much harder for them to do that without better co-ordination to get us all pulling in the same direction and making better use of limited public funds.” “It is unsatisfactory that four years after the NAO criticised DECC’s support for businesses developing innovative sustainable technologies, the Government still hasn’t tackled the poor communication and coordination between its low carbon innovation group and businesses and broader innovation partners."

The Energy and Climate Change Select Committee has closely monitored the support offered by the Government to firms developing new products. The Committee found that insufficient support is being given to these companies.