Polling indicates that the Government's aggressive clean energy policy "blitz" has captured the public's attention and is popular, according to a new poll.
However, the decision revealed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to axe winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners as part of a strategy to address a "black hole" in the nation's finances is being met with resistance. The poll of more than 2,100 people by YouGov for environmental think tank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found nearly two thirds (64%) were aware of the setting up of Great British Energy, a publicly owned energy company, and 68% supported the move.
On the awareness scale, half knew about the plan to lift the ban on onshore wind projects, which garnered a 60% approval rating, while roughly half (49%) were informed on the Government endorsing new solar farms, with an impressive 74% showing support when prompted.
Yet, the proposal to withdraw winter fuel allowances from pensioners, excluding those on means-tested benefits, was recognised by 67%, but faced opposition from 59% of participants; only 28% supported this measure. The survey also explored what people viewed as the hallmark of "success" for the Government's commitment to boost clean energy and curb fossil fuel use.
The leading aspirations were enhancing the UK's energy self-sufficiency and lowering energy bills, selected by 44% and 42% respectively. However, there was doubt that Labour's clean energy and climate policies would result in lower bills, with 61% believing they definitely or likely wouldn't deliver cheaper bills, compared to 23% who thought they would.
There was more confidence that the clean energy policies would create more jobs in green industries, with 60% believing this would happen, versus 22% who disagreed. Almost half (46%) believed the UK would definitely or likely increase its energy independence, while 36% didn't think it would.
Alasdair Johnstone, from the ECIU, commented: "The new Energy Secretary Ed Miliband 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."
He urged that if the UK is to insulate itself from gas market volatility in the coming years, the Government needs to "get on with" increasing home energy efficiency and promoting the use 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," cautioned Mr Johnstone.
A Government spokesperson responded: "We are taking immediate action implementing our long-term plan to make Britain a clean energy superpower boosting our homegrown supply by radically increasing the deployment of onshore wind, solar and offshore wind."
They highlighted the removal of barriers to onshore wind and consenting solar power, stating that Great British Energy would unlock billions in private investment and deliver new energy projects and jobs.
"Around 1.3 million households in England and Wales will continue to receive winter fuel payments and our warm home discount is expected to support three million households with £150 off their energy bills," the spokesperson added.