Industry reacts to election result

Labour has won the UK general election, securing over 400 out of 650 seats in the House of Commons.

This result positions Keir Starmer as the incoming Prime Minister.

The Conservative Party, led by Rishi Sunak, retained just over 110 seats, marking a loss.

The Liberal Democrats gained seats in this election, while the Scottish National Party (SNP) saw a reduction in their parliamentary presence, losing most of their seats.

Following the results, Keir Starmer addressed his supporters, stating, “Change begins now,” and outlined his commitment to addressing the nation’s challenges.

He emphasised the importance of leadership and the need for a clear direction moving forward.

In response, Rishi Sunak acknowledged the outcome, describing it as a “sobering verdict” from the electorate.

Following the announcement of the general election result, industry leaders have outlined their priorities for the new government.

Greg Jackson, Founder of Octopus Energy, commented: “The results look clear – voters have rejected anti net zero rhetoric and chosen cheaper, cleaner, more secure energy.

“This looks like a landslide for a green economy.”

The ECA, representing the electrotechnical and engineering services sector, congratulated the new government and emphasised the critical role of electricians in achieving net zero targets.

They urged the government to address the shortage of skilled electricians and improve the procurement system to support small businesses in the sector.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called for policies that support small business growth.

Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair of the FSB, highlighted the potential for political stability to lead to economic recovery and emphasised the importance of measures to ease business costs and tackle poor payment practices.

Tina McKenzie said: “The clear result of the general election gives hope that political stability can lead to economic stability and recovery.

“There’s a golden chance in the first 100 days of this new administration to plant the seeds of small business growth, and there are a range of policies FSB hopes the new government will bring forward.

“These include measures to ease the cost of doing business and support investment and expansion. From tackling poor payment practices by big businesses to their smaller suppliers to reforming the not-fit-for-purpose business rates system.”

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, highlighted the need for the new government to address the broken energy system and protect vulnerable households.

Simon Francis said: “The new government has said that we will see change and that they will lower energy bills, insulate homes and invest in homegrown clean energy while getting us off oil and gas.

“But ministers inherit a broken energy system which has prioritised oil and gas company profits while millions of ordinary people have shivered in cold, damp, mouldy homes they can’t afford to heat.

“Lowering bills permanently will take time, but short term steps can be taken to help struggling and disillusioned households.

“The new government must earn the public’s trust by protecting vulnerable households, reducing energy debt, driving more onshore wind, bringing in changes to energy meters, ramping up insulation programmes, reforming standing charges and ending energy industry profiteering.”

In response to Labour’s election victory, forming a new government for the first time in 14 years, Mark Chapman, Founder of the not-for-profit Zero Carbon Forum, said: “Labour has committed to clean power and pledged to decarbonise the power system by 2030, which is a positive and necessary step.

“However, the energy transition will reduce about half of man-made greenhouse gas emissions.

“The other half can only be addressed by transforming to a regenerative food system and adopting a circular approach to how we make and use products and materials.

“The food and drink industry, which accounts for 35% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions, requires rapid and deep emissions reductions if we are to avoid the worst of the climate crisis.”