Our response to the King’s Speech

Following the King’s Speech in Parliament, our chief executive Mike Thornton comments on the points raised related to energy saving and climate change:

“It’s welcome to hear commitment to a Bill to establish Great British Energy to support the UK’s transition to clean energy. The optimistic tone of the King’s Speech reflects the considerable ambitions of the new UK Government and its refreshed approach to addressing the UK’s energy security. Ambition must now quickly turn to action.  

“The UK is over-reliant on fossil fuels, energy bills remain high and people need help to engage with net zero. Addressing the climate emergency by reducing carbon will result in healthier homes, cleaner air and greener, cheaper energy for all.   

“Communities across the country have a key role in achieving the 2030 clean power target, something that GB Energy and the new Solar Taskforce must consider. Equally important is enabling people to make the switch to low carbon heating, while reducing their overall energy demand at the pace and scale needed.  

“To accelerate this further, the expected Warm Homes Plan should ensure that people have access to impartial, tailored help and energy saving advice and low cost green finance. England needs an expert energy advice scheme like those that already exist in Scotland and Wales.  

“We’ve seen the policies and models work in parts of the UK, it’s now time to put in place robust plans, schemes and incentives that will effectively address the scale of the challenge across the whole of the UK.”