REACTION: Oxfam response to the King’s Speech

“This is yet another missed opportunity for the Government to set out a clear vision for a fairer future and sends the wrong signal just weeks before the King is set to deliver the opening address at the UN Climate Summit, COP28.

“It is at best unclear why the Government is proposing legislation for something that they have already been doing anyway – their effort would be better spent taking meaningful action to tackle the climate crisis.

“At a time when countries around the world are reeling from the devastating impacts of climate induced extreme weather, new oil and gas licences – even with the conditions set by the government – will only lock in more emissions and won’t reduce energy bills for people struggling to heat their homes.

“If the Government plans to hold other countries to their environmental commitments, we need to be leading by example and accelerating our path to a fossil fuel free economy in a fair way, where the biggest and richest polluters pick up the bill, and the pockets of ordinary UK households are protected.”