Poll: Government’s clean energy ‘blitz’ meets with public support
Polling finds new Government’s recent clean energy announcements have cut through to public and are popular with them.
By George Smeeton
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Polling conducted by YouGov for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) [1] has found the new Government’s recent clean energy announcements have cut through to the public and are popular with them.
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 [2]. 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 [3].
Commenting on the findings, Alasdair Johnstone of ECIU said: “The new Ed Miliband has moved quickly on a number of key manifesto commitments, with an announcement blitz that has been noticed and crucially for the new Government appears to be popular. On an election campaign which saw energy security as one of the key dividing lines, the public endorsed a prospectus which focused on more energy independence, delivered through renewable energy, and so less reliant on energy imports.
“But with the gas crisis ongoing, bills still £400 higher than they were before the crisis and set to rise again ahead of winter, restrictions on winter fuel payments are unsurprisingly much less popular. Questions are being asked over what can be done to help those struggling in the short term. If the UK is to insulate itself from gas market volatility in the coming years, the Government will need to get on with ramping up a programme of home energy efficiency and encouraging the uptake of electric heat pumps. There is a public desire to see a government which delivers, and there is risk for this new Government if it fails to do so on one of its key policy pillars.
“Likewise, the public clearly see clean energy as the UK’s best route to economic growth. Is Treasury now going to deliver on the promises, incentivising the private sector investment that will match voters’ vision?”
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.
ENDS
Notes to editors
[1] All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,171 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 2nd - 4th August 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
For more information or for interview requests:
George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: +44 (0)7894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net