- The UK’s net zero ambitions remain popular, but public support is at risk
- Nine in 10 (88%) identified energy bills as a top priority
- The UK has among the highest electricity prices in Europe
The government risks losing public support for its net-zero strategy if energy bills increase, according to a survey from Octopus Energy, with households saying policymakers should prioritise keeping electricity and gas prices down over anything else.
The survey, conducted by Opinium, found that while the UK’s net zero ambitions remain popular, seven out of 10 (71%) said their backing hinges on energy prices remaining the same or reducing.
It also found that 88% identified energy bills as the top priority for the government to help reduce household expenses, ahead of supermarket prices and mortgage and rent costs.
The survey also found that 65% of respondents who currently oppose net zero would reconsider their position if the policy led to lower bills.
Greg Jackson, founder of Octopus Energy, said the government had to “reform the market urgently” to maintain public backing for cutting emissions.
“Clean energy can be cheaper to generate, but our outdated market means consumers don’t benefit,” Jackson said.
The UK has among the highest electricity prices in Europe, with household electricity costing almost 25p per kWh.
Jackson said that due to the “outdated UK energy system”, households pay millions each month to shut down Scottish wind farms when it’s windy and turn on gas power stations in southern England instead.
“Billpayers are forking out billions to switch off wind farms on windy days while households and industry struggle with high bills – instead of enjoying cheaper energy,” Jackson commented.
“A modern market could save tens of billions over the next 15 years.”
