Making Britain a Clean Energy Superpower

In a statement delivered in the House of Commons, the minister outlined the government's plan to make Britain a clean energy superpower. The minister emphasized the urgency of the multiple challenges the country is facing, including energy insecurity, the cost-of-living crisis, and the growing threat of the climate crisis. The minister explained that the government's approach differs from that of previous administrations, as they do not see these challenges as separate issues pulling the country in different directions. Instead, the minister argued that investing in clean energy at speed and scale is the only way to address these interconnected problems. The minister highlighted the impact of the energy crisis, noting that the soaring inflation in the UK was far worse than in any other G7 country due to the country's over-reliance on fossil fuel markets. This, in turn, led to skyrocketing consumer bills, with the default tariff price cap rising by approximately £2,800 in the year after the invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, the minister emphasized the need to create good, skilled jobs across the UK, particularly in the industrial heartlands that have often been left behind. The minister stated that the government is determined to address these challenges and that a green energy future is the solution, as it will deliver energy security, save families from future energy shocks, and create tens of thousands of new jobs. The minister concluded by stressing the urgency of the climate crisis, noting that the current decade is the most decisive in preventing irreversible damage to the planet. The minister expressed the government's commitment to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, stating that this is the country's "last chance" to do so.