Labour and Conservatives urged to take environmental issues seriously

An energy broker has urged that both The Labour Party and the Conservatives take environmental issues more seriously for the future of business for December’s General Election, following a voter survey. 

Of the 1,023 adults surveyed by energy switching specialist, Utility Bidder, it has been shown that 79 per cent of respondents consider the environment to be ‘an important election issue’, with 21 per cent not considering it to be at all.

James Longley, managing director at Utility Bidder, said: “As the General Election has now been called, many issues are currently being discussed, be it the NHS, immigration, national defence or government spending.  

“Our survey has shown that perhaps more people than we first thought are concerned about the environment, particularly the young. It’s time for politicians to wake up to this uptake in attitude to the planet as it will impact businesses too. 

“Our survey shows that the young are particularly concerned. Of the 16-24-year-olds we surveyed, an incredible 85 per cent of them agreed it was also an important issue, which suggests that the younger generation are most engaged with environmental issues.”

This belief is very widespread across the population – with no fewer than 72 per cent of the UK adults falling within any socio-demographic group or geographic region, regarding energy and the environment as an important election issue.

Longley continued: “Both mainstream political parties have their own agendas when it comes to the environment and energy. For example, the Conservatives have championed the idea of ‘green number plates’ which would entitle those driving electric cars to be able to drive in bus lanes. They also introduced charging points into every newbuild from July, all to encourage take-up of green options when it comes to vehicles. 

“Labour has also pledged much when it comes to the environment. Their main policy is to nationalise energy in general. They intend to do this by ‘stripping out’ fossil fuels entirely, meaning they aim to have the UK as net-zero carbon by 2030. 

“It remains to be seen which party will push energy and the environment to their advantage, but what is clear is that no political party can ignore these issues as part of their campaigning. Perhaps now, more than ever, these issues are more prevalent in voters’ minds.”