MPs yesterday debated the UK's energy policy in the years up to 2050.

Energy minister Brian Wilson said that the government is currently involved in the consultation process following the energy review.

He told the Commons: "There are a range of key objectives: meeting our environmental obligations, guaranteeing security of supply, ensuring competitiveness and contributing to our social objectives, both domestically and internationally, as a Labour government. All those imperatives have to be prioritised, and as far as possible, made compatible with each other."

Forum Response: Energy Saving Trust

Dr Eoin Lees, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust, told ePolitix.com: "The Energy White Paper offers the UK a once in a lifetime opportunity to set the right policies to secure a sustainable energy future. At its heart, the White Paper must have measures which assure security of energy supply for future generations, and which also address climate change, their greatest environmental threat.

"Improving the efficiency with which we use energy must be a first principle in developing this long-term sustainable energy policy. As the PIU's Energy Review pointed out, 'there is no point in wasting energy that can easily be saved'. Energy efficiency, with its massive untapped potential for energy savings, is crucial: it addresses the critical issues of climate change and security of supply, with enormous economic and social benefits. Before we invest in large new power stations, we must make the cost-effective investment in saving energy.

"The Energy Review called for a 'step change' in energy efficiency: a 20 per cent improvement in household energy efficiency by 2010, with a further 20 per cent by 2020. The challenge now is to ensure that the Energy White Paper adopts an Energy Efficiency Strategy, with firm targets and the concrete policies to deliver them.

"Our formal briefing to MPs for this debate is available on our ePolitix Microsite".

Forum Response: BNFL

Norman Askew, chief executive of BNFL, told ePolitix.com: "Nuclear generation is safe, secure, environmentally friendly and cost effective. We will use the consultation as an opportunity to re-state this overwhelming case."

"Nuclear generation is the only credible secure solution to the challenge of achieving real and lasting reductions in CO2 emissions. We need to have the debate but we also need to act. The right policy framework must be created to bring nuclear to the marketplace. If we are to begin to replace the UK's nuclear generating capacity in 10 years action is needed today, not tomorrow.

"BNFL believes that in order to meet our environmental commitments we need nuclear and renewable generation together as part of a balanced energy mix. Delivering 20 per cent of the UK's generation needs with renewables is a challenging target. Even if it is achieved, the environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions will be, at best, neutral unless there is replacement nuclear capacity."

Forum Response: British Energy

Dr Robin Jeffrey, executive chairman of British Energy, told ePolitix.com: "Britain needs to move ahead with a balanced, secure and stable energy policy - and British Energy is ready to play a key role with major nuclear and renewable energy generation developments.

"It's now time to start taking real decisions. For British Energy, that means taking forward our 'Replace Nuclear with Nuclear' programme, and our UK renewable energy projects."

Forum Response: Ofgem

Callum McCarthy, chief executive of Ofgem, told ePolitix.com: "Ofgem agrees that competition should be the cornerstone of Britain's future energy policy.

"We are pleased that the success of Britain's competitive gas and electricity markets in contributing to a secure, diverse and keenly priced energy supply for British customers has been recognised.

"Ofgem also supports the view that there is a need for future energy policy to be developed in an international context.

"Everyone agrees that environmental targets should be met at the lowest cost to consumers - that is the best way to meet the needs of the fuel poor, safeguard competitiveness, and enable Britain to meet its international environmental targets.

"We need to improve our understanding of the implications of environmental targets and how best to meet these. Ofgem is committed to working constructively with government and others to achieve this.

"We are keen to see the development of environmental measures which are aligned with, and do not distort, the operation of competitive markets."