New report underlines challenges and opportunities confronting the UK now it has left the EU

The report from academic think tank UK in a Changing Europe, brings together some of the country’s leading social scientists, who have written 72 pieces addressing a swathe of issues ranging from the constitution to Covid-19, from consumer protection to relations with China. The report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key issues confronting the UK in the months and years ahead.

Prof Watson wrote the chapter ‘Energy’ (from page 20), exploring the implications for energy policy of the Brexit deal. He discusses the changing energy landscape in the UK, looking at the past, the present and where we are heading in the future. Although the UK has some ambitious commitments to reduce emissions across the economy, including to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of this century, Prof Watson looks at how leaving the EU is likely to affect this.

Prof Watson said:

“In common with many aspects of the Brexit deal, the implications for UK energy and climate change policies are not yet entirely clear. A key uncertainty is the extent of integration between UK and EU markets for trading electricity and gas. Until new arrangements are agreed by April 2022, there is a risk of extra costs that will put upward pressure on bills for households and businesses.“

Further information

• UK in a Changing Europe is an ESRC-funded Initiative, based at King’s College London. Find out more.
• Read the full report ‘Brexit and Beyond’.

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