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 Energy Secretary
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+).
[2] https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2023/north-sea-moratorium-equivalent-to-just-one-new-offshore-wind-farm
[3]https://eciu.net/media/press-releases/2024/election-survey-what-switching-voters-thought-on-climate-as-they-went-to-the-polls
