Ministers reveal taxpayer aid for offshore wind as the UK begins it's transition towards carbon-free energy though the business secretary admits concerns over the pace of new infrastructure to power electric cars.

The business secretary has stated the UK needs to "accelerate" preparations for an electric vehicle future while revealing government aid in the support of offshore wind power.

Kwasi Kwarteng announced that 1,340 jobs had been secured through a combination of taxpayer support and private investment at two companies in the Humber region just hours before the release of a landmark United Nations report on the pace of climate change.

Offshore wind has become an important part of the UK's power generation mix, already accounting for an internationally-enviable 13% of electricity output last year as countries globally scramble to meet agreed carbon-cutting goals.

A total of 24% came from wind though experts warn that growth in renewables will not be enough to sustain the electric car future being demanded by ministers under the UK's own targets.

The sale of new petrol and diesel cars is to be banned from 2030 and the car industry's focus is on an electric-led alternative.

Mr Kwarteng said that the government support for the offshore wind sector was a reflection of the region's importance to green power generation.