Spending Review climate, energy and environment measures: comment

Homes and industry: 

Jess Ralston, analyst ECIU: "This appears to be Government putting money where its mouth is, backing the net zero mission to insulate the UK from foreign gas markets manipulated by actors like Putin by literally insulating homes. The UK has millions of cold, damp, unhealthy homes which cost hundreds of pounds more to heat than they should, waste gas and burden the NHS. Families still struggling with high bills could see huge savings as a result of net zero tech like insulation, heat pumps and solar. 

"For industry, the picture remains unclear with all eyes now on the upcoming industrial strategy – will the Government act to reduce the impact of high gas prices on our steel industry and other sectors, which UK steel has said is the “main driver” of disparities with industries in Europe?"

Farming and agriculture: 

Amber Sawyer, analyst at ECIU: "Investing in the fundamentals of our food security - our soil, our nature, our water - makes total sense in the face of a rapidly changing climate. The evidence suggests that we need to invest more, but in a tough spending review, this outcome appears to be enough to maintain the transition to farming and food production that is more resilient to climate extremes.
 
"In the future this investment will need to increase to maintain our food security as the impacts of climate change on our farm businesses continue to escalate. This government has recognised climate change as one of the biggest threats to food production [1], one that will only increase if we don't move faster to net zero emissions which is essential to stop climate change."