Liberal Democrat Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey has welcomed reports that show Britain is tackling climate change and taking steps to break up the Big Six Energy firms.

A study by PwC shows the UK has become one of the world’s eco-friendly countries in the past year after a record 34 per cent jump in renewable energy generation.

The closure of some coal-fired power stations and improved energy efficiency in home and factories has seen Britain rise to second place in a global ranking of green economic performance.

It comes as a report by an independent group Cornwall Energy shows Big Six energy companies are losing market share to smaller suppliers.

The latest figures show that customers have 3.8m accounts with the smaller suppliers and 45.9m with the Big Six firms.

Ed Davey said:

“These two reports show that with Liberal Democrats at the helm Britain is getting its energy and climate change policy right.

“The PwC study is a vindication for the Liberal Democrat belief that you can grow your economy while cutting carbon dioxide emissions. Green growth is a reality.

“And the news that millions of energy customers are now signed up to independent suppliers shows that people are increasingly benefiting from the new competition in the market we have championed.

“These two reports are further proof that the Liberal Democrats are building a stronger economy and fairer society.”