Business and energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has failed to attend a hearing on accelerating climate action the day after the UK recorded its hottest ever temperature.
The hearing, hosted by the Environmental Audit Committee, (EAC) was held to discuss how the UK can speed up its transition away from fossil fuels and secure national energy supply.
Kwarteng was invited to give evidence in the second half of the session, but failed to show up, writing a letter to committee chair Phillip Dunne ahead of the meeting saying that he is “no longer able to attend”. He did not give a reason.
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Kwarteng said that he would arrange to meet with the EAC in September when parliament returns from recess.
“Given the importance of the topic, I have asked my private office and parliamentary teams to work with your clerks to find a time at your earliest convenience once the House returns in September,” his letter read.
The no-show marks the second time in a week that a government minister has failed to attend a select committee session concerning climate change, and comes during a week when the UK has seen widespread fires and disruption due to extreme temperatures nationwide.