The Labour Party Annual Conference 2025

SME4Labour, SPL & HSEnergy fringe: CLEAN ENERGY DIVIDEND: SLASHING BILLS AND HITTING NET ZERO – A NATIONAL PRIORITY

Speakers:

• Dame Siobhain McDonagh, MP for Mitcham and Morden
• Tony Vaughan KC MP, MP for Folkestone and Hythe
• Bill Esterson MP, MP for Sefton Central
• Neil Mitchell, Managing Director of HSEnergy
• Julian Wiley, Director, ZEnergy Solar
• Paul Summers,Global Key Account Director, Fox ESS
• Nick Miles, Director of Commerce & Product Innovation, EWI PRO

Chair: Dr. Spencer Pitfield OBE

SME4Labour, SPL Strategies, and HSEnergy hosted a high-profile fringe discussion exploring the “Clean Energy Dividend” and its potential to cut bills, improve homes, and support the UK’s journey to Net Zero. The panel brought together parliamentarians, industry leaders, and renewable energy innovators to discuss how modern technologies can deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits.

Opening the session, Dr. Spencer Pitfield highlighted the importance of directing innovative energy solutions to the most disenfranchised communities, emphasising the potential for warmer homes and lower bills. The discussion explored practical applications of solar energy paired with storage, showcasing pilot projects across 7,000 social homes where energy trading and AI-managed storage has reduced tenants’ bills by up to 50%, while generating revenue to reinvest in property improvements.

Panelists also debated the role of commercial funding versus government support, stressing that the right financing models can accelerate deployment without burdening taxpayers. Speakers emphasised the decentralised approach, highlighting opportunities for schools, social landlords, and low-income households to participate in energy generation, reducing costs while supporting local communities.

A key theme was empowerment: tenants must retain control over their energy usage and billing. The panel agreed that combining technology, legislative frameworks, and innovative commercial models could unlock substantial savings and deliver measurable health, economic, and environmental outcomes. The discussion closed with a consensus that the Clean Energy Dividend is not only a pathway to lower bills but also a strategic driver for social housing regeneration, community wellbeing, and national Net Zero goals.

Bios:

Dame Siobhain McDonagh

Dame Siobhain McDonagh has served as the Labour Member of Parliament for Mitcham and Morden since 1997, where she was born and continues to live. Prior to her election to Parliament, she was a councillor for the London Borough of Merton, where she chaired the Housing Committee.

In Parliament, she served as an Assistant Government Whip from 2007 to 2008. As a backbencher, she has been a vocal campaigner on issues of affordable housing, and she chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Households in Temporary Accommodation. She is also a member of the Panel of Chairs and the Treasury Committee. In the 2024 New Year Honours, she was appointed a Dame for her parliamentary and political service.

Tony Vaughan KC MP is the Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe, elected in 2024. As a barrister with a particular focus on human rights and immigration, he offers a distinct legal and policy perspective. He is the first Labour MP to represent his constituency, and his professional background provides a valuable insight into the legislative frameworks that govern energy policy and consumer rights.

Bill Esterson MP is the Member of Parliament for Sefton Central since 2010 and the Chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee. With a background in accountancy and consultancy, he has held various shadow ministerial roles including Shadow Minister for Small Business and Shadow Minister for Business and Industry. His extensive parliamentary experience and current role as Committee Chair give him a unique insight into the detailed policy and economic realities of the UK's energy transition.

Julian Wiley is the Director of ZEnergy Solar Ltd, a company incorporated in 2010 and based in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. His work in the solar and energy sectors is complemented by his directorships in various other companies, reflecting a broad entrepreneurial background. His practical, on-the-ground experience provides an essential perspective on the operational challenges and opportunities for clean energy SMEs.

Paul Summers is Global Key Account Director of Fox ESS, a global leader in the development of high-performance energy storage systems. He is a chartered management accountant and a former lecturer, with a professional background that includes working in banking and with leading universities. His expertise lies in financial modelling and strategic planning, making his insights on the economic viability and business case for clean energy solutions particularly relevant.

Nick Miles is the Director of Commerce & Product Innovation at EWI PRO. His career is focused on the energy and insulation sectors, where he has held several directorships and worked as a consultant. His experience in developing and marketing innovative products, particularly in external wall insulation, positions him as a key voice on the importance of building fabric and retrofitting in achieving net-zero targets and reducing fuel poverty.

Chair : Dr. Spencer Pitfield OBE will chair the discussion. He is a Senior Adviser at Techne UK, a polling and data consulting company, and a highly experienced non-executive director with a background spanning politics, education, and the charity sector. Awarded an OBE for political service, he brings a broad range of experience and an understanding of the intersection between data, policy, and public opinion.