King’s Speech: comment on climate and energy measures

“Changes to North Sea licensing are just political theatre, as Ministers themselves have now recognised that they won't help to lower bills. In fact, today's speech leaves bill payers worse off as private renter's insulation standards are confirmed as scrapped. It seems that the Government is firmly positioning itself as on the side of the landlord over the renter, a kick in the teeth for those still struggling with the cost of energy bills that remain high.

“The way to energy independence is reducing demand for gas, which we will have to import more of as the North Sea continues its inevitable decline. But some politicians seem to have their head stuck in the sand, with 1 in 4 Conservative MPs not believing the industry's own projections for gas production falling.” [1]