Yesterday, I was excited to see the Government announce our new Net Zero Strategy, which sets out how we will transition to a green and sustainable future. It includes £3.9 billion for decarbonising homes - with a new £5,000 grant for the installation of heat pumps - and £120 million for new nuclear, helping us to reach our ambitious, world-leading targets ahead of COP26.
As the Employment Minister, I am delighted this Strategy will create thousands of jobs, kick-start new British industries in our industrial heartlands, levering billions in investment and building a more secure, home grown energy system.
During his statement in the House of Commons following this announcement, my colleague the Secretary of State for Energy, Kwasi Kwarteng MP, said:
"There is a global race to develop new green technology, kick-start new industries and attract private investment. The countries that capture the benefits of this global green industrial revolution will enjoy unrivalled growth and prosperity for decades to come – and it’s our job to ensure the UK is fighting fit.
"Today’s plan will not only unlock billions of pounds of investment to boost the UK’s competitive advantage in green technologies, but will create thousands of jobs in new, future-proof industries – clearly demonstrating that going green and economic growth go hand in hand."
Since 1990 we have reduced greenhouse gas emissions in the UK by 44 per cent while growing our economy by over 70 per cent. We have come a long way, but there is still more to do.
We cannot be left behind in the transition to a green economy, so we will seize the opportunities of being a first mover in this race to build back greener as we lead the charge towards global net zero, ahead of the vital COP26 summit next month.
For more information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uks-path-to-net-zero-set-out-in-land…