JULIA Reid MEP has called for a complete rethink over power generation following revelations that a major carbon trading scheme had been hit by corruption allegations.

The MEP, who represents the South West and Gibraltar, says it is clear the decarbonisation agenda needs to be ditched following the publication of a study which found that the majority of carbon credits generated by Ukraine and Russia were “hot air” and that no actual emissions had been reduced.

This study, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute, found the carbon credits may have increased emissions by 600 million tonnes.

Mrs Reid said: “We need a total rethink over energy generation.

“The three main political parties continue their incestuous relationship of promoting failed energy policies in the UK, such as wind power, while they decommission perfectly good coal fired power stations while Germany is building more and the German state subsidises coal.

“The situation is a mess and legislation, such as the Climate Change Act, is having a major affect on people’s fuel bills.

“We need to deliver secure and affordable power supplies through supporting coal, hydro, solar, nuclear, shale gas, conventional gas and oil.

“Subsidies for wind farms should also be scrapped on these expensive and monstrous windmills which have proved to be a totally inefficient way of generating power.”