Energy minister Charles Hendry urged Ms Sandys to report any concerns to the Office for Fair Trading.

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Energy Minister Charles Hendry said the government was supportive and wanted to see the plans move forward.

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For the Conservatives, shadow energy minister Charles Hendry said the bill was "fundamentally flawed" and a "blunt instrument".

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Energy Minister Charles Hendry told Ms Lucas that she should continue to "harry the government... to chase us to do better".

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Energy minister Charles Hendry said the installation rules were "tough" because fitters would not be allowed to try to sell consumers more services during installation.

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Meanwhile his ministerial colleague Charles Hendry said the energy watchdog Ofgem had announced that variable tariffs offered by energy providers must meet certain conditions to offer "greater clarity for consumers".

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And within DECC, Mr Davey's position must be weakened in some way by the advent of a minister with views very different from the previous incumbent, Charles Hendry, who was massively popular with the renewables industry.

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