Energy issues in King's Speech: comment
King warns "every element of the nation’s energy, defence and economic security will be tested" by "increasingly dangerous and volatile world".
By Tricia Curmi
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Responding to the King’s Speech, which included energy related Bills including an Energy Independence Bill [1], Jess Ralston, Head of Energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said:
"The Government is sticking with clean power as its solution to two energy crises in a matter of years, in line with the International Energy Agency's recommendations and the British public who see investing in renewables as the solution to less dependence on Trump and the Middle East as North Sea oil and gas output continues its inevitable decline. [2] Households are increasingly voting with their feet as installations of net zero technologies like solar, EVs and heat pumps have taken off in response to higher prices. Increasingly this surge towards electrifying homes will be powered by clean British renewables.
"There are now even clearer divides between political parties on the UK's energy future, with the Government bringing in a ban on fracking compared to Reform which aligns more with Trump on wanting to frack across Lancashire and Lincolnshire. This puts them at odds with the British public for whom fracking is one of the most unpopular energy sources and even Reform-led local councils that are less than keen given voter opposition."
Notes to editors:
1. The King's Speech: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/kings-speech-2026-background-briefing-notes
2. ECIU: https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/8-in-10-brits-would-be-concerned-if-the-uk-became-reliant-on-america-for-gas-as-us-imports-rise-over-40-in-2026
For more information or for interview requests:
George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, t: 020 8156 5305, m: 07894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net