M&C Energy Group (M&C Energy Group), the UK's largest independent energy consultancy, believe that in the last week of campaigning, the parties' energy policies should be placed firmly under the spotlight.

M&C Energy Group's energy analyst, David Hunter, commented:

"The reality is that twenty years after the privatisation of the energy market by Margaret Thatcher, the lack of planning by the Labour government has left Britain's energy industry in tatters.

"All parties recognise the need to deliver a robust energy policy to firm up Britain's dwindling energy supply and to encourage privately-owned energy companies in invest.

"The Conservative party has given assurances that they will introduce capacity payments and floor carbon price to help achieve this and Labour has said they will consider these options.

"The three main parties also agree on the need to invest in renewables as an alternative green energy source. However, both Labour and the Conservatives concur that nuclear still has a role to play in securing a suitable base load.

"This is at odds with the Liberal Democrats, who have firmly come out against nuclear energy. Should there be a hung parliament, the Lib Dems could conceivably block any investment in nuclear, which will have an impact on the UK's energy security and further increase the country's reliance on imported energy.

"With some of the UK's top businesses as clients and one of the UK's biggest purchasers of energy, M&C Energy Group believes that the parties should be questioned on how they will claw back a lost decade of investment and direction, or face the very real prospect of the lights going out."

During the winter of 2009, the UK's energy resources were stretched to breaking point. M&C Energy Group is concerned that energy shortages could be the next crisis to hit the next government.

Mr Hunter added: "With so much to lose, M&C Energy Group believe party leaders must be quizzed on their energy policies to ensure the country elects a party who will give the energy security the priority it deserves."

"The issue is that playing catch-up will cost and there is no question that tax payers will end up paying. That is something either party may not wish to share!" Mr Hunter concluded.


/ends

For further press information contact judith@olearypr.co.uk on 07825 304408.