Ed Miliband's race to reach Net Zero by 2030 will lead to higher bills and risk a MILLION jobs
12/12/2024 07:01 PM
A MAD dash to Net Zero by 2030 will lead to higher bills and risk a million jobs, ministers are being warned.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will today unveil a blueprint he claims will stop Britain being at the mercy of tyrants such as Vladimir Putin controlling fossil fuel markets.
The plan is at the heart of a drive to turn the country into a clean energy superpower by the end of the decade.
Under the strategy, there will be a reform of planning rules so critical infrastructure such as onshore wind farms will be prioritised.
But to hit the 2030 target, an average of £40billion worth of investment per year, coming mainly from the private sector, will be needed.
And that could have a knock-on effect on bills.
Andy Mayer, of the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: "You can't make energy cheaper by deliberately making it more expensive.
"What the Government is calling welcome investment, to the consumer means higher bills.
“The UK already has some of the most expensive energy in the world. This will make it much worse."
Unions have also hit out at the plans, with the GMB warning that if the Government does not "change course" the policy could cost up to a million jobs.
Mr Miliband said: "Energy security, lower bills, good jobs and climate action can only happen with big, bold change."
