A Parliament spokesperson told edie that The Energy Bill will enter the Report Stage on June 3 and 4, which was previously set but unconfirmed.

Those in the industry will welcome the news as many have criticised its progression and particularly the length of time it took the Government to release the Draft Bill.

Chair of the Energy and Climate Change Committee Tim Yeo slammed the Government in January for its lengthy development of the Energy Bill.

“The Energy Bill had a gestation period comparable to the pregnancy of an elephant but with rather more disappointing conclusions” he said.

In addition to pointing out the delay in releasing the Bill, he also highlighted the conflict within Government and the Treasury on energy policy.

Despite this, industry will take comfort in today’s confirmation, which could see the Bill pass through Parliament before the end of summer.

The Report Stage is likely to include a debate around the inclusion of a 2030 decarbonisation target, which has been proposed by Yeo and Labour’s Barry Gardiner.

The Government has continued to delay setting the target and the proposal has caused controversy, with many arguing that the delay has discouraged investment in the green sector, while rows between MPs have seen the coalition Government disagree over when the target should be set.

Following the third reading, the Bill will then progress through the House of Lords.

Leigh Stringer

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