Energy security

A report commissioned by Gordon Brown has concluded that the UK is on target to secure energy supplies both domestically and from abroad.

The ‘Energy Security: A National Challenge in a Changing World' report by Malcolm Wicks, the prime minister's representative on international energy, argues that the actions published in the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan need to be sustained in order to ensure energy security.

These actions include the creation of 1.2 million green jobs, halving the amount of gas imported, generating 40 per cent of electricity from low-carbon sources and providing energy-saving makeovers to more than seven million homes.

Brown said: 'We are already taking a number of responsible, far-sighted steps to put the UK on a secure, low-carbon, affordable energy footing in the long term and I am grateful for the work undertaken by Malcolm Wicks.

‘The ability to maximise domestic energy reserves and establish home-grown energy sources is vital, alongside the UK's ability to pull on every lever internationally in support of energy security.’