In other UK news, outlets including the Guardian, the Times and the Press Association report that RSPB has apologised for a social media post that called Sunak and other ministers “liars” over their plans to scrap water pollution restrictions on housebuilding. We hope Claire Coutinho will be that person.” Coutinho’s appointment was also welcomed by green business groups, according to BusinessGreen. The country needs a serious secretary of state that will step up to give the certainty and support that businesses and people need to invest in the changes that will cut both emissions and the cost of living. The Big Issue quotes Dave Timms, head of political affairs at Friends of the Earth: ““Good riddance to Grant Shapps…He has promoted new drilling for oil and gas against the advice of his own climate advisers, allowed speculation about whether vital deadlines for the transition to electric vehicles and heat pumps would be stuck to, and failed to invest in home insulation. The Daily Telegraph says Coutinho’s appointment “hints at more conservative approach to net-zero”. The i newspaper says Coutinho’s appointment has “raised hopes among environmental campaigners and the Conservatives’ green wing that the government’s net-zero agenda could be back on track”, but adds that “as an ultra-loyalist to Sunak, she may toe the line on his net-zero agenda – which has been watered down by the prime minister in recent weeks after the Uxbridge by-election”. The Daily Telegraph says another key issue for Coutinho will be the government’s planned ban on new oil boilers from 2026. It says that energy bills will be on the top of her in-tray in the new position. It adds: “Coutinho’s apparent green leanings will give hope to climate activists and renewable energy bosses who have watched, with increasing alarm, as Sunak’s government sends out mixed signals on its commitment to the green agenda and in particular the net-zero goal.” The Times calls Coutinho a “Rishi Sunak loyalist”.
Before becoming a minister, she was also “an active member of the backbench Tory green caucus, the Conservative Environment Network, and campaigned for ‘wild belts’ – areas of land left aside for nature in planning decisions”, the outlet says. It notes that she “used her maiden speech in parliament in January 2020 to discuss green policy”, hailing the UK’s status as a leader in offshore wind. Politico says that Coutinho has “distinct shades of green”. BBC News says Coutinho was previously a member of the Conservative Environment Network and vice chair of a parliamentary group studying how the finance sector could contribute to reaching net-zero target. According to the newswire, Coutinho worked as an aide to Rishi Sunak when he was a junior minister in the finance ministry. Conservative MP Claire Coutinho has been named secretary of state for energy security and net-zero, replacing Grant Shapps who has been appointed defence minister, Reuters reports.
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