Green groups have welcomed a Government reshuffle that created a department for energy and climate change. The department, headed by Ed Miliband, is charged with establishing what energy the country needs and the most environmentally sound way of getting it.
Environmentalists have had a longstanding objection to the fact that the UK's energy policy and climate change brief have previously been divided between different departments.
Green Alliance said it hoped the move would result in a more joined-up approach to cutting emissions. Green Alliance director, Stephen Hale said, "The new department puts climate change where it belongs, with its own seat at the cabinet table." Indeed, some commentators believe Mr Miliband's appointment indicates how strongly the Prime Minister views the issues of energy security and climate change.
However, the move has been given a more cautious welcome by the Policy Exchange think tank, whose head of environment, Ben Caldercott said, "Whether a new energy and climate change department under Ed Miliband's leadership can sort out the current UK energy policy mess is far from certain. Given this Government's track record on energy policy - we're in the third energy consultation in 11 years - I doubt shifting civil servants around Whitehall is going to make very much difference before a general election."
