Energy Saving Trust responds to UK Government’s Energy Bill announcement

Today (10 May) the UK Government’s proposed policy and legislation priorities were announced in this year’s Queen’s Speech. Key among the announcements was the Energy Security Bill, which aims to deliver the transition to cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy.

The UK is to bring forward this Bill to deliver on the recently published British Energy Security Strategy and the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.

Commenting on the Energy Bill, Stew Horne, head of policy at Energy Saving Trust, said: “Today’s announcement of an Energy Security Bill provides the opportunity for a much-needed update to legislation that has been in place for almost ten years, during which time the UK has significantly strengthened its decarbonisation commitments. This Bill will be another important step on the path to achieving net zero, but action needs to go further and faster.  

“We welcome the commitment to decarbonising heat through the regulation of heat networks and a new market standard and trading scheme to help encourage faster uptake of heat pumps. We would also like to see Government moving policy costs from electricity bills to reduce running costs for consumers.  

“The introduction of the Future System Operator will enable positive change to the energy system by transforming the UK’s energy grid which, alongside expansion of renewable energy generation, will accelerate progress to a low carbon economy.  

“However, there is still more the Bill should include, such as a greater commitment to improving the energy efficiency of UK homes – including an ambitious timeline for the introduction of mandatory Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards across all tenures.  

“In addition, as households continue to feel the effects of rising energy bills, we welcome the new legislation that will extend the energy price cap to protect consumers, but there is also an urgent need to provide immediate help to people struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis now.”

We hope the published Energy Security Bill addresses our concerns in order to help households facing record energy bills and set the UK on the right path to meet its net zero targets.