Changes for government renewable energy subsidies

The government is to make big changes to the way it subsidises renewable energy.

They will cut support for onshore wind and solar energy, but give more backing to offshore wind power.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander described the shift in subsidy as "a rebalancing" and said overall spending would not change.

The price producers are promised for onshore wind power and solar energy will be cut from 2015, while the amount paid for offshore wind power will be increased.

The shift on wind energy comes ahead of Chancellor George Osborne's Autumn Statement, which he will deliver to MPs on Thursday.

Other pre-statement announcements include:

1. Details of the National Infrastructure Plan (NIP), with plans for £375bn of investment in energy, transport, communications, and water projects
2. The NIP also entails selling off the government's 40% stake in the Eurostar rail service as part of a plan to double the target for the sale of corporate and financial assets, from £10bn to £20bn, between 2014 and 2020
3. It features a further £50m for a redevelopment of the railway station at Gatwick Airport and financial support for the development of a new nuclear power station at Wylfa, north Wales
4. There is also confirmation that a UK guarantee has now been agreed for the £1bn Northern Line extension to Battersea in London
5. Road projects in the NIP include improvements to the A50 around Uttoxeter, in Staffordshire, and improvements to the A14 around the port of Felixstowe in Suffolk

Mr Osborne also plans to cap business rate rises in England and Wales next year at 2% instead of having them linked to inflation