Voters back tougher net-zero polices and direct taxation to cover costs

Nearly half the general public would prefer the costs of decarbonising heat and electricity to be met by direct taxation rather than a surcharge on energy bills, according to an exclusive survey for Utility Week.

In a poll of over 2,000 people, carried out by Harris Interactive, 48 per cent said they would prefer carbon dioxide reduction from heating and electricity to be paid for by direct taxation, which is seen as fairer to those on lower incomes. Another 30 per cent preferred to stick with the charge added to bills.

The survey, which was carried out before the general election was called, also shows widespread support for tougher measures to tackle climate change. Four out 10 voters (41 per cent) said they supported government’s commitment to tackle climate change and the net-zero target, but that 2050 wasn’t quick enough. Labour party members have supported  reaching the target by 2030. Another 37 percent felt the target was right whilst 13 per cent thought the government should review it.

In a further sign of green policies garnering electoral support, again nearly half (47 per cent) of those surveyed backed a move to bring forward a ban on the sale of new petrol cars to 2032. There was also more support for smart meters than might be expected, given the constant barrage of bad press – with 53 per cent backing smart meters be offered to all customers by 2020 – a timescale which has since been rolled back by four years.

However, it suggested that voters need to be convinced that Boris Johnson would champion sustainability and the environment; half believed it would slip down the agenda under his leadership, with 29 percent believing he would promote the agenda and 21 percent saying they didn’t know.

Commenting on the results, Energy UK chief executive, Lawrence Slade, said: “It is interesting to see the level of support for direct taxation because we need to look at the alternatives to the standard practice of levying policy costs on bills, which takes no account of the ability to pay and can lead to those on the lowest incomes having to carry a disproportionate burden.”

In terms of ownership, as other polls have shown, nationalisation gets sizeable support with a third (32 per cent) claiming that government would be better suited to provide energy and water services and a the same percentage backing private public partnerships. One quarter (24 per cent) backed the current system of private ownership.

Again, Labour’s renationalisation policy would appear to curry favour – with half saying they think that Conservatives should adopt the same policy of bringing water and networks into public ownership.

While there was support for direct taxation, there was little appetite for energy bill rises. Our survey found that 64 percent respondents would like to see government take more action on bills, the cost of utility services (54 per cent) and what are perceived to be excessive profits (53 per cent). Although 41 per cent of respondents said they would like more government action on poor service, the survey suggests high levels of satisfaction amongst customers.

Just 41 per cent of respondents were unhappy with the level of performance and value of their energy supply. Respondents who claimed they would vote Conservative were significantly more likely than those who said they would vote Labour to be satisfied with their energy company’s performance.

Harris Interactive carried out the survey of 2,114 adults between 2-9 September 2019.

The full results are available as part of a special report.