Switch off for traditional bulbs

Mr Benn told the Labour conference he wanted to see an end to the sale of 150-watt bulbs from next January.

Less powerful traditional bulbs would be taken off the shelves in stages under the voluntary energy-saving scheme by 2011.

Greenpeace said the move was "long overdue" and would help the UK reduce its CO2 emissions.

Off for good

Mr Benn told the conference in Bournemouth: "The major retailers and the energy suppliers are now leading a voluntary initiative with the strong support of the lighting industry and of the government to help phase out traditional, high-energy lightbulbs.

Not such a bright idea

"We need to turn them off for good.

"And so our aim is for traditional 150-watt lightbulbs to be phased out by January next year, 100-watt bulbs the year after, 40-watt bulbs the year after that and all high-energy lightbulbs by 2011."

Mr Benn estimated that the move would save five million tonnes of CO2 a year and take the UK closer to its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2050.

Greenpeace said most retailers had already agreed to stop selling high-energy bulbs following a campaign of its own.

Mr Benn said he also wanted to see an end to products such as energy-wasting TVs.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Ban the Bulb
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites