Monday 18 July 2016

New energy dept insists tackling climate change ‘remains a priority’

The new energy department insists tackling climate change “remains a key priority” for the UK Government.

The comment from the new Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) – headed by Greg Clark - comes as new Prime Minister Theresa May abolished the Department of Energy and Climate Change last week.

The omission of ‘climate change’ in the new department raised concerns among environmental groups, claiming it showed the downgrading of the issue.

However BEIS said: “Tackling climate change remains a key priority for the government with the creation of BEIS and is essential in ensuring economic prosperity and security for our country.

“We are committed to the UK Climate Change Act and the global deal signed in Paris and have already accepted the recommendation of the Committee on Climate Change on the 5th Carbon Budget.”

It added keeping bills down for householders and businesses is also a top priority, urging consumers to shop around and save up to £325 annually.

Former Energy Secretary Amber Rudd has been appointed as the new Home Secretary while Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom has been transferred to the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra).