Comment on tomorrow’s Queen’s Speech and Energy Bill

“With the Energy Security Strategy focussing on technologies like nuclear that might play a role but not for years to come, there’s a risk that the Government is distracted trying to pass new legislation to fund those costly options, when it could instead be focussing on steps that will give more immediate help to hard-pressed households struggling with rising energy bills.

“Cheap renewables can be deployed rapidly, and even more so once the Government follows through on its commitment to make simple changes to planning rules in England to align with overwhelming public support for renewables including onshore wind. And with millions more households facing being trapped in fuel poverty for several years, insulation schemes can easily be expanded to cut bills and help reduce our national vulnerability to fossil fuel markets.”