Government’s clean energy ‘blitz’ meets with public support

Around two-thirds (64%) were aware of the policy to set up of ‘Great British Energy’ with a similar number (68%) supportive of the announcement.

Half (50%) were aware of the new Government’s policy of ending the ban on onshore wind with 60% supporting that move, when asked.

Around half (49%) were also aware of the Government’s policy of approving new solar farms and three-quarters (74%) supportive of this.

Where support is lower is around removing the ‘winter fuel allowance’ payments from pensioners, apart from those who receive means-tested benefits, with 59% opposing and 28% supporting.

The top response from the public for what would qualify as success for Labour’s policies to boost clean energy is increasing UK ‘energy independence’ (44%), reducing reliance on foreign energy, followed by lowering energy bills (42%).

Public expectations are that the Government’s policies on energy, climate and the environment will increase ‘energy independence’, reducing reliance on foreign energy, with 46% thinking that will happen compared to 36% who expect it won’t. ECIU analysis has previously shown a single offshore wind farm could generate more power than gas coming from new drilling in the North Sea. 61% are currently not expecting the policies to lower bills, but 60% do expect the policies to create more jobs in ‘green’ industries.

Polling conducted by Opinium for ECIU at the time of the general election showed that 64% of voters saw renewables as opposed to more oil and gas drilling, as the best route to long term energy security.

Economic growth was a key theme in the election debate and when asked what the biggest growth opportunity for the UK in the next five years is, the British public put renewable energy and clean technology at the top of the list with 51% selecting it, followed by AI (42%) and construction (26%). Just 8% see oil and gas the biggest growth opportunity.