Juliet Phillips, Senior Policy Advisor, E3G:
“The King’s Speech shows that the government is out of touch with the reality of the cost-of-living crisis. The announcements contained no measures that would rapidly lower energy costs or permanently reduce the exposure of households to future cost spikes. Since fossil fuel prices are determined on international markets, squeezing the last remaining barrels of oil out of the ageing North Sea basin will do next to nothing to bring down bills for British families.
“A much quicker and cheaper way for the UK to achieve energy security and lower household bills is by investing in homegrown renewables, as well as boosting energy efficiency and clean heat measures. However, the only reference to energy efficiency was in relation to scrapping standards for private rented properties that could have saved tenants £8bn over the next decade. Rather than saving people money on their energy bills, the government is condemning hundreds and thousands to continued fuel poverty.”

Jonny Bairstow, Head of External Affairs, Association for Decentralised Energy:
“Instead of pledging to extract new oil and gas, what the UK needs more than ever is unwavering commitment to the deployment of energy efficiency measures, heat networks, flexibility upgrades and industrial decarbonisation – diluting crucial net zero policies with the aim of reducing costs to consumers is exactly what we should not be doing.
“In a recent survey of our members, 75% of decentralised energy sector professionals and businesses said they had suffered a significant erosion of confidence in the wake of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s backpedalling on net zero policies in September. Such delays not only risk destabilising our commitment to addressing climate change but will also lead to lost jobs and the erosion of business confidence in investing in the UK. The Government needs to bear this in mind as it plans its direction for the next session of Parliament.”

Rachel Solomon Williams, Executive Director, Aldersgate Group:
“It is crucial that the UK Government focuses on delivering on its climate and environmental ambitions in the upcoming parliamentary session. The proposed new mandatory oil and gas licensing rounds announced in the King’s Speech have been justified on the basis that they would support a more secure and diverse energy system. However, there is no evidence that the commodities extracted through these new rounds would be supplied into the UK market, and therefore how they contribute to energy security or lower bills. By contrast, it is clear that domestic renewable energy production supports security and diversification directly, so we welcome the renewed commitment to attracting investment into renewables and reforming grid connections.
“Maintaining a priority focus on low carbon generation will be essential for the UK to retain credibility as an international climate leader as we approach COP28. Other nations – along with investors – are looking to the UK to deliver a consistent commitment to delivering net zero, which would be best served by doubling down on the implementation of existing carbon budget plans. In an increasingly challenging economic environment, the UK Government must use the upcoming Autumn Statement to ensure the UK remains an attractive destination for low-carbon investment.”

Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive, UK100:
“Despite a promise to ‘put local people in control of their future’, there was little in the King’s Speech acknowledging the urgent issues local government is facing, particularly when it comes to delivering on the UK’s climate ambitions.
“There was positive news on renewable energy investment and grid reform, but the delay in upgrading the energy efficiency of rental properties and new North Sea fossil fuel licences continues to show the mixed messages coming from government.
“As we head into the winter, we would have hoped to see the King’s Speech prioritise more support for local leaders to deliver the kind of insulation programmes that can cut bills for millions rather than measures designed to bolster oil and gas company billions.”

Jess Ralston, Head of Energy, Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit:
“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.”

Dan McGrail, Chief Executive, RenewableUK:
“We welcome the Government’s commitment in the King’s Speech to attract record levels of investment in renewable energy and to speed up grid connections to reach net zero. But to achieve this, we’re asking the Chancellor to set out specific policies in his Autumn Statement later this month.
“… To make up for the ground lost in this year’s CfD auction, we’re urging Mr Hunt to help the UK to regain its position as the most attractive place to invest in offshore wind, despite fierce competition from the US and the EU. We’re calling for a commitment by the Chancellor to work with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to set an overall budget, and maximum strike prices, at appropriate and sustainable levels which allow for a return on investment for vital new projects. We also need to see a change in the rules on capital allowances, so that offshore wind projects qualify for the main rate of 18%, rather than the lower rate of 6% which developers get at present.
“We are asking the Chancellor to remove the Electricity Generator Levy from offshore wind projects which choose to sell their power directly on the open market before taking up their CfD. This option is vital for projects to break even in adverse economic conditions.
“We’re also calling for measures to attract further investment in the UK’s offshore wind supply chain and port infrastructure. There’s a global shortage of offshore wind products and services, so we have a great opportunity not only to build up our domestic market but also to export worldwide”.

David Whitehouse, chief executive, Offshore Energies UK:
“…There are currently 284 active oil and gas fields in the North Sea and by 2030 around 180 of those will have ceased production due to natural decline. The industry needs the churn of new licences to ensure no cliff edge in domestic production. OEUK has warned that without fresh investment the UK will be reliant on oil and gas imports for 80% of its needs by 2030.”