MORE should be done to promote energy efficiency and alternative power sources in the wake of gas price hikes, a Suffolk MP claimed today.

MORE should be done to promote energy efficiency and alternative power sources in the wake of gas price hikes, a Suffolk MP claimed today.

On the back of this week's announcement that British Gas is putting up the price of gas by 35 per cent, John Gummer, MP for Suffolk Coastal, said government needs to adopt a different outlook.

Mr Gummer said fuel price increases are inevitable due to the dwindling supply of fossil fuels and more effort needs to be made to find a long-term solution.

This includes helping people make efficiency savings so they use less energy as well as extending the use of renewable power sources.

He said: “There was an energy white paper ten years ago but absolutely nothing has been done.

“We need to maximise the use of renewable energy and build a Sizewell C.

“We also need to help people individually with what they can do to insulate and reduce their energy needs.

“I have been campaigning for a long time about the fact energy prices were going to go up and there is nothing you can do about it because there are a lot more people in the world demanding energy and energy resources are much more limited.

“Therefore the price is going to go up and we have to live with higher fuel prices.”

Mr Gummer also praised the stance taken by Ipswich Borough Council in exploring the possibility of wind turbines in the town.

He said: “I think Ipswich Borough Council has shown significantly advanced leadership on this front and other councils in Suffolk ought to take very seriously what Ipswich is doing.”

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