Latest news with #Miliband
New Statesman
7 hours ago
- Business
- New Statesman
Ed Miliband's plan to marginalise Nigel Farage
Photo by Kin Cheung -Keir Starmer has used the past few weeks to assert that Reform UK is his party's main opponent – but Ed Miliband already knew that. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero holds the portfolio that Reform's leader and its deputy – Nigel Farage and Richard Tice – hate the most. Tice regularly calls for an end to 'Net Stupid Zero' and Farage has described the government's clean power agenda as 'lunacy'. Today, the Energy Secretary will fight back. Launching a new report from the Labour Climate and Environment Forum, the Energy Secretary will say that Reform has exposed its 'ideological weaknesses' on green jobs. While in Greater Lincolnshire, Reform's Andrea Jenkyns, has already made her intention to block clean power projects explicit (solar farms are her primary target), in Hull and East Yorkshire, the party's recently elected mayor, Luke Campbell, said he would 'put local green energy jobs and businesses ahead of party politics'. In his speech this evening, Miliband will say: 'We're seeing a Reform Mayor realise the idiocy of Nigel Farage's war on clean energy jobs.' In the report, Miliband has pledged 'a new vision of community wealth and power' and pointed to other European countries – such as Denmark and Germany – who have adopted a citizen-owned approach to renewable energy. (Half of Denmark's wind energy is in public control, with 40 per cent of renewables owned by communities in Germany). The logic of this argument – according to insiders close to Miliband – is manifold. First, it is intended to show the government is 'taking back control' of the energy system by bringing power over bills into the hands of consumers, rather than private energy companies. Frustration over persistently high energy bills remains electorally dangerous; it was one of the most-cited issues on the doorstep during the local election campaign. The (soon to be reversed) cut to the Winter Fuel Payment and upcoming benefits cuts, have damaged this government's credibility with ordinary voters. Second, it is hoped that Miliband's community-led vision will drive the creation of green jobs, particularly in communities which have been 'left behind'. This could be in the manufacturing and installation of infrastructure, or in the transition of fossil-fuel intensive jobs to cleaner alternative. Though this will need to be accompanied with a tangible strategy for skills – for example, to meet the government's Heat Pump target, it is estimated the UK will require 37,000 installers by 2030. Though numbers have increased massively in recent years, there are only 11,000 people in the UK currently qualified to do the job. Though Labour may not want to admit it, there is a future in which Farage and Tice romp to victory in 2029. Miliband's push for a 'collective energy future', insiders tell me, is intended to future-proof net zero from Reform-led attempts to dismantle it. This is because community energy projects, as opposed to those led by the public and private sectors, are two times less likely to go bust within their first five years of operation. If Reform takes control in 2029 these projects will have got off the ground, ending the UK's reliance on imported natural gas, and therefore lowering energy bills. If these projects deliver the benefits Miliband says they will (lower bills, more jobs, increased prosperity), it will make little to no sense for Reform to undo them. That's the logic, anyway. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe [See more: Andy Burnham has made his leadership pitch] Related
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Miliband poised to scrap 600,000-a-year heat pump target
Ed Miliband is poised to ditch targets for heat pumps amid budget cuts that threaten his net zero ambitions, industry sources have told The Telegraph. The previous government declared that from 2028, 600,000 heat pumps would be installed every year in British homes as part of the drive towards net zero. But official communications regarding the deadline have been dropped since Labour took power last year, and any mention of installation targets was absent from the party's 2024 manifesto. Labour has refused to recommit to the 2028 deadline, which was set by Boris Johnson's government in 2021. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is expected to announce the changes in her spending review on June 11. It comes after The Telegraph revealed last week that cuts to the Department for Energy and Net Zero (Desnz) budget could force Mr Miliband to reduce funding for his flagship Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which provides up to £7,500 to homeowners looking to install a ground or air source heat pump. Funding for the scheme is expected to expire in 2028, and the Government is yet to confirm whether it will be renewed. 'The conversations I have been involved in suggest they're planning to get rid of the 2028 deadline, and it's not in any of their PR,' one source told The Telegraph. 'Because the budget is limited and this government isn't the best with finances, the Warm Homes Plan will also get shrunk.' The energy department, led by Mr Miliband, is said to be bracing for budget cuts as Ms Reeves frantically tries to fill an estimated £30bn black hole in Britain's finances. The overall annual growth in day-to-day spending has fallen to 1.2pc in real terms, meaning unprotected government departments are facing cuts. Reductions to his department's budget could force Mr Miliband to reduce funding for heat pump installations, while officials are also said to be looking for savings in Labour's 'warm homes' policies, which provide funding for home insulation. Another industry source said: 'I've not heard talk of the target for months. Setting an ambition is great, but setting absolute target numbers is always a problem. 'The aspiration was based on a number of policy initiatives, all of which have been delayed.' This is likely to deepen a rift in the Cabinet between Mr Miliband and Ms Reeves, who in January urged Labour MPs not to tolerate 'blockers who put their own interests above those of the country'. Ministers are said to be prioritising Labour's pledge of building 1.5 million homes, rather than installation targets for heat pumps. The high price of the green technology has put homeowners off making the switch from gas, critics claim. Mike Foster, of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, said: 'The 600,000 heat pumps installed a year by 2028 was a Boris Johnson target, drafted on the back of a fag packet, which industry always thought was unrealistic. 'Scrapping that figure is plain common sense. What matters in the fight against climate change is how much carbon there is in the atmosphere, not how many heat pumps are in people's homes. 'Out of touch targets help no one and consumers don't want to be press ganged into fitting something they feel forced to do. If a product improves their lives, they will buy it. If not, they won't. Whitehall targets rarely help and more often highlight a failure to deliver by the Government, so why do it?' The rate of installations would need to ramp up ninefold within the next three years to meet the targets set out by the previous government. There were just 65,600 heat pumps installed in the year to April, according to MCS Certified, the trade standards body. Sources claim numbers are lagging because of delays to the Government's Future Homes Standard, which would have made heat pumps compulsory in new-build homes. However, ministers are still poring over consultation documents, and green campaigners are concerned that housebuilder lobbying will mean requirements for green technology, such as battery storage and solar panels, will be dropped. Despite this, DESNZ is pressing ahead with other initiatives such as a controversial 'boiler tax' on manufacturers, which will see manufacturers fined for failing to sell enough heat pumps. Last week, the Government also scrapped the so-called 'one metre rule' which restricted how closely heat pumps could be positioned to a neighbouring property. The push towards net zero has been the cause of much infighting within Labour in recent months, particularly after Sir Tony Blair warned Sir Keir Starmer that Labour's green policies were 'doomed to fail'. Mr Miliband retaliated by accusing Sir Tony of having a 'defeatist' attitude. Sources told The Telegraph the looming spending review has raised tensions even further within Mr Miliband's department, as funding is expected to go towards nuclear power rather than heat pumps. At least three more cabinet ministers are understood to be locked in negotiations with the Treasury about spending levels with just a week to go before decisions are announced. The others are Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, and Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary. A government spokesman said: 'The energy shocks of recent years have shown the urgent need to upgrade British homes. 'Through our Warm Homes Plan, up to 300,000 households will benefit from upgrades this year, such as insulation, double glazing, solar and heat pumps – making them cheaper and cleaner to run. 'We have almost doubled the budget for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to £295m, and it recently enjoyed its best month since opening, with 4,028 applications in March 2025, up 88pc on the same month last year.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Energy can make or break the 2026 Holyrood elections
The Scottish Government has no influence over energy prices but can lay the blame at Westminster's door. Scottish Labour candidates will face the same nervousness as Labour candidates did in England's recent local elections. They may argue that the investment and new infrastructure will bring down bills eventually, but Ed Miliband's promise of cutting bills by £300 last summer will be a rod for every Labour candidate's back when knocking on doors. Could zonal pricing and energy market reform, with Scottish bill payers positioned as major benefactors be a potential gamechanger? This is a big political decision for Mr Miliband as he looks at possibly the single biggest reform in energy policy, due in the coming weeks. However, the sector's opinion is divided, with most generators concerned about what it would mean for their investments. The Scottish Government can – and is – sitting on the fence, backing market reform but maintaining it's not "yet" convinced that zonal pricing is right for investors. This is an easy position to take, knowing it's not its call and that whatever decision is taken, there will be no immediate impact on bills or jobs prior to the election. We can't discount the potential success of Reform UK with its "end net zero" mantra, including the pledge to use newly-gained local planning powers across England to wage a "war" on developers. This will be appealing to those Scottish communities campaigning against the energy infrastructure that both the UK and Scottish governments agree is required to modernise our electricity grid and transition to renewables. While Scotland remains less tempted by Reform, recent polls hint at 10-20 MSPs as the party gets an almost-guaranteed platform on the regional lists. This is not least thanks to defections from the Scottish Conservatives – also drifting towards an anti-net zero position – but also due to Labour's struggles. Reform's success could challenge the net zero consensus in Scotland more vociferously than ever before, with climate and energy at the fault line of division. But the jury is out on whether "net stupid zero" can convince the electorate and compete with the widespread recognition of the importance and investment potential of the renewables sector to the Scottish economy and future jobs. With less than a year to the election, all but one thing is certain: energy policy will be a central point of contention and has the potential to flip the switch on the race by Bute House. Matt Revett is Director (PA) at Grayling Communications Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Landlords can force tenants to pay for insulation demanded by Miliband
Landlords will be able to pass on the cost of upgrading rental properties to tenants, the Government has admitted. Ed Miliband's net zero rules will require all rental properties to meet a minimum energy performance certificate rating of C by 2030. Despite the Energy Secretary's insistence that landlords will not put up rents to reach new efficiency targets, a minister has now said there are grounds for 'higher market rents'. The Conservatives say rents could rise as much as £4,000 a year to cover the cost of upgrading older properties or to match lower rental housing supply when landlords sell up. But Mr Miliband has previously said that when past standards were introduced 'we didn't see rent increases', and pointed to government schemes that help with the cost of insulation and heat pumps. The Government claims tenants will save £240 a year on their energy bills if their homes are better insulated. Sarah Sackman, a justice minister, has now admitted to Parliament that the cost of upgrading properties can legally be passed onto renters, paving the way for significant rises over the next five years. She was asked by Kevin Hollinrake, the shadow housing secretary, whether rents could legally be increased because of the cost of net zero upgrades if a tenant challenged a rise in court. Ms Sackman said that 'expenditure on the upgrading of an energy performance certificate to a higher level of energy efficiency is a material consideration, which may result, in certain circumstances, in a higher market rent being determined'. The admission comes despite Mr Miliband's insistence that the new rules will not push up rents. Asked in February whether the rules would impact the cost of housing, he told LBC: 'There is some government help, we're looking at what more can be provided. 'There are some local grants, there's the boiler upgrade scheme. When this was done before with a less exacting standard, we didn't see rent increases and half of landlords already do this.' Announcing the policy earlier this year, the Government said that it would 'save private renters £240 per year on average on their energy bills'. But Mr Hollinrake told The Telegraph: 'Red Ed promised to reduce everyone's bills but his mad dash to net zero is picking people's pockets. 'Not content with sending bills skyrocketing, hardworking families' rents are now in his crosshairs. Maybe this confession will make him finally realise that Labour's war on landlords just leaves renters worse off. 'He needs to heed our calls to abandon net zero by 2050 and fast, or working families and Middle England will continue to be clobbered by his eco cult.' Separate analysis found the policy is likely to push up rental prices by up to £4,000 a year for tenants. Some landlords say they would prefer to sell historic homes with poor energy efficiency than be forced to undertake extensive renovation to meet the standard. Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, called in February for ministers to pursue a 'realistic' version of the policy. 'The chronic shortage of tradespeople to carry out energy efficiency works needs to be addressed, alongside a targeted financial package to support investments in the work required,' he said. Rob Wall, assistant director at the British Property Federation, said it would be 'challenging' for all properties to meet the standard required. He said: 'We would like to have seen recognition of the time lost reflected through a gentler trajectory, to provide the sector with sufficient time and support to carry out necessary work.' A Department of Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman has said: 'Everyone deserves to live in a warm, comfortable home. 'We have recently consulted on plans to require private landlords to meet higher energy performance standards, which will help deliver cheaper-to-heat homes. 'These plans could lift up to half a million households out of fuel poverty by 2030, while also making renters hundreds of pounds better off.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
New Statesman
27-05-2025
- Business
- New Statesman
Could a new green Labour faction cause trouble for Ed Miliband?
Image:Ed Miliband likely breathed a sigh of relief on Friday morning after Ofgem announced a 7 per cent reduction in the energy price cap. Average bills will go down by £129 a year for a typical household (or around £11 a month) from 1 July. This is not quite the £300 reduction Miliband and his team promised in the run-up to the election, but it's certainly a start. Coupled with the government's feeble U-turn on the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment, it will have taken some of the electoral heat off the Energy Secretary's performance. But the real challenge on the horizon may come from within his own party. Despite vicious attacks from both Reform and the Conservatives – in this new phase of the climate culture wars – the government remains committed to the Clean Power 2030 and Net Zero agenda. Keir Starmer used his speech to the International Energy Summit, held in London at the end of April, to double-down on his commitment to the cause, telling delegates that 'homegrown clean energy is the only way to take back control of our energy system'. Still, as I have written previously, recent aspects of the government's growth agenda – such as support for the expansion of Heathrow, Luton and Gatwick airports – do not sit easily with the green transition. They have also not been looked on favourably by the some of the more climate-focussed members of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), some of whom question how Miliband can keep on this path. But, as one MP told me, pointing this out to the Energy Secretary and his team is often met with protestations that it's better to have someone in government pushing the agenda, even as the Prime Minister pursues polluting policies like Heathrow's third runway. Miliband's riposte is fair enough; but it is unlikely to stop pro-net zero MPs from organising if they unhappy with the government's direction. Until the start of this year, most of these MPs congregated around the Climate and Nature Bill, a private members bill which aimed to place a requirement on the Environment Secretary to implement a strategy, with annual targets, to reduce CO2 emissions and reverse the degradation of nature. While it was sponsored by the Lib Dem MP, Roz Savage, the bill had also garnered the support of several Labour MPs such as Clive Lewis, Alex Sobel, Olivia Blake and Simon Opher. On 24 January, the government won a motion by 120 votes to seven to end the debate of the bill. It will not return to the House of Commons until July and is unlikely to pass into law. Before pushing to drop the law, the government made a deal with supportive Labour backbenchers, saying it would make a statement on progress towards climate and nature targets within six months, hold a consultation with the bill's supporters over upcoming environmental legislation, and host more meetings between Miliband and climate-conscious MPs. But as one MP involved with the bill told me, considering current concern over recent government policies (Heathrow, Rosebank) these offers felt a bit flat. The cancellation of the bill has left a vacuum. But those MPs' concerns have not dissipated (and are unlikely to). The question is where it goes next. There are several upcoming flash points; the Report Stage of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill (which begins after 9 June) is perhaps the most significant. Chris Hinchcliffe, a member of the 2024 intake, and MP for East Hertfordshire, has submitted a raft of amendments to the bill, intended to strengthen its protections for nature. Speaking in the Commons last week, Hinchcliffe said the bill as it stands would 'push the public towards Reform'. His amendment already has the backing of Lewis and other MPs sympathetic to the climate and nature cause. Another flashpoint will arrive when a decision is finally made over the future of the oil fields at Jackdaw and Rosebank. Though the High Court ruled that permissions for both fields had been granted unlawfully, drilling could still go ahead (this would be consistent with Labour's policy of no new oil and gas licences as permission for these fields was granted under the Tories). Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe This decision is sitting in Miliband's in-tray. The Energy Secretary previously said allowing both fields to go ahead would be 'an act of climate vandalism', though, as mentioned previously, Starmer and Reeves are both said to be supportive. One Labour insider told me, if he finds himself stuck in a bind, Miliband could recuse himself from making the decision, leaving Energy Minister Sarah Jones to give the announcement. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but if permission is granted, the environment-focussed members of the PLP will certainly not be happy – a clearer climate faction could subsequently emerge. Conversations are certainly being had in Parliament by unhappy members of the PLP. Depending on the outcome of upcoming flashpoints, a new climate movement within the ranks of the Labour party may be about to take shape. Related
