Energy suppliers have been warned that there will be no get out clause in their role in improving efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in Britain.
Energy and climate change minister Gregory Barker said energy suppliers will have to play a crucial role in making Britain greener and helping the country meet its environmental targets.
Mr Barker noted that energy suppliers will play a key role in helping to insulate homes as part of the government's Carbon Emissions Reduction Target scheme, which will be targeted at the poorest households ahead of the government's Green Deal in 2012.
Speaking at the opening of a commons debate on energy efficiency, Mr Barker commented: "There will be no short cuts or get-outs for the big six under this government."
"For too long energy efficiency has been the poor relation of British energy policy. Too many politicians have talked the talk but failed to deliver."
Under the proposed Green Deal, energy efficiency improvements will be funded by private capital and then added to a home's energy bill to be paid off in instalments.
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