LONDON, 7 NOVEMBER — Responding to the King’s Speech, Christopher Hammond, Chief Executive of UK100, the UK’s only cross-party network of ambitious local leaders committed to Net Zero and Clean Air, says:

"Despite a promise to 'put local people in control of their future', there was little in the King's Speech acknowledging the urgent issues local government is facing, particularly when it comes to delivering on the UK's climate ambitions.

"There was positive news on renewable energy investment and grid reform, but the delay in upgrading the energy efficiency of rental properties and new North Sea fossil fuel licences continues to show the mixed messages coming from government.

"As we head into the winter, we would have hoped to see the King's Speech prioritise more support for local leaders to deliver the kind of insulation programmes that can cut bills for millions rather than measures designed to bolster oil and gas company billions.”