Reading MP welcomes Great British Energy and nuclear plant

Climate change is not just a future threat to the planet, but a present danger that already affects communities here in the UK.  That is why I am proud to support the action the government is taking to deliver on our climate goals. This includes delivering clean, secure homegrown power that we control, good clean energy jobs, increased opportunities for walking and cycling, greater access to nature, warmer homes, and cleaner air.

Since coming into office, the government has introduced a world-leading agenda on climate and nature, making rapid progress and restoring the UK’s position as a global leader when it comes to climate action. It has delivered on its domestic commitments through the mission for clean power, and it has been working with our international partners on tackling this global challenge. 

It is the government’s ambition to make Britain a clean energy superpower by delivering clean power by 2030 and accelerating to net zero across the economy. This is a highly ambitious mission and would put the UK ahead of all other major economies. 

Rooftop solar will play a crucial role in the government’s clean energy mission and I therefore welcome its commitment to unleashing a rooftop revolution across the UK. In June, the government confirmed that its ambitious energy efficiency requirements for new homes will see building regulations amended to explicitly promote solar for the first time. This means new build homes will have solar panels by default, saving the typical household around £500 per year. I further welcome that Great British Energy’s first major project will install rooftop solar panels on around 200 schools and 200 NHS sites, helping them save millions on their energy bills.

I support the government’s actions to back our clean energy industry and jobs with the most significant investment in homegrown clean energy in Britain's history. This includes building Sizewell C nuclear plant, creating 10,000 jobs and strengthening our energy security, approving enough clean energy projects to power the equivalent of 2 million homes, and creating two first-of-a-kind carbon capture and storage clusters in Teesside and the North West.

The government has approved clean power with the capacity to power millions of homes, delivered a Clean Power Action Plan to unlock £40 billion of private investment each year, lifted the onshore wind ban, and overseen a record-breaking renewables auction. 

I also welcome the Warm Homes Plan which will upgrade 5 million homes with improved insulation and other energy efficiency measures, and immediate action now through expanding the Warm Home Discount so that 2.7 million extra households will receive £150 off their energy bills next winter.

I am pleased to support the government’s commitment to investing in climate adaptation and the natural environment, including in tree planting, peatlands, sustainable farming, and nature recovery across the country. I back the action it is taking to provide climate leadership on the global stage. This includes establishing the Global Clean Power Alliance to drive forward the global clean energy transition, as well as announcing an ambitious 2035 climate goal at the COP29 UN climate conference, making the UK the first G7 country to do so.

The Government is also committed to turning the tide on nature’s decline after years of neglect.  It has delivered on the Water Bill which will clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas, as well as banning the payment of bonuses for polluting water bosses and bringing criminal charges against lawbreakers.  This will also ringfence funding for vital water infrastructure so that it can only be spent on upgrades benefiting the environment not diverted for bonuses, dividends or salary increases. 

I know that this progress is only the beginning. I can assure you that I will continue to monitor developments and support action that delivers not only for the climate but also for our local community, economy, jobs, energy security and living standards.