£40 million a year wasted on standby mode - Howarth

11.42.09pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st Jun 2006

Liberal Democrat Energy Spokesperson, David Howarth MP

The Liberal Democrats today have released research which reveals that householders and businesses will waste over £40 million this year due to electrical equipment being left 'on standby', producing at least one million tonnes of carbon dioxide in the process.

This research coincides with Environment Minister Ian Pearson meeting major UK consumer electronic retailers today to discuss energy efficient products.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Energy Spokesperson, David Howarth MP said "The electricity wasted whilst appliances are left on standby is costing consumers thousands, and is hugely damaging to the environment.

"We urgently need tough new regulatory standards on products such as stand-by devices which reduce their power usage. These standards should be compulsory; as experience has shown that voluntary measures have limited success.

"Dynamic devices that facilitate use of more renewable energy on the national grid will also be important in the future."