This week the government released their plans for the energy security strategy – yet another failed opportunity to lower household bills, cut gas imports, and tackle the climate crisis. Onshore wind and solar are cheap, clean and quick sources of power but continue to be cast aside by this reckless Tory Government. As Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Net Zero I am campaigning for a Windfall tax on the profits of oil and gas companies, and a renewable energy sprint to meet the scale of the crisis we are facing.

Instead the Government is looking to dangerous fossil fuels, like coal and fracking. 85% of coal from the Cumbria coal mine will be exported on the global market. Whatever Ministers say, opening new coal mines won’t address the energy crisis. It will only accelerate the climate emergency. Similarly, bringing back fracking won’t tackle the cost-of-living crisis or lower energy bills. What it will do is escalate the climate crisis and devastate communities. By pursuing fracking, the Government has made it clear they can’t be trusted to heat our homes. I wrote this piece for the Yorkshire Post and spoke to Labour List about my opposition to these plans. 

I also wrote this piece for the Yorkshire Post about the rhetoric of a Green Industrial Revolution, the Governments failure to create green jobs or boost industry. Only a Labour Government will ensure a Just Transition and Green New Deal – creating secure, green, unionised jobs in every region.