Labour 'ditches' £28bn eco flagship policy that has become 'albatross round their necks'

Labour 'ditches' £28bn eco flagship policy that has become 'albatross round their necks'

WATCH NOW: 'For too long the Tories have written off working people', Keir Starmer says

GB NEWS
Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 19/01/2024

- 21:01

A Labour Party spokesperson denied Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to drop the policy however

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer looks poised to ditch his £28billion flagship green policy, a report has claimed.

The Leader of the Opposition previously pledged to spend billions of pounds every year transitioning to green energy.


However, Labour insiders claimed the “mission” to ramp up clean energy production with a massive borrowing hike had become “an albatross around our neck”.

A source told The Sun: “We’re going to drop the figure altogether.”

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer gestures as he gives a speech at the National Composites Centre

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer gestures as he gives a speech at the National Composites Centre

GETTY

Despite the insider account, a Labour Party spokesperson appeared to categorically reject the suggestion Starmer was ditching his pledge.

They said: “We are committed to Labour's Green Prosperity Plan to drive growth and create jobs, including our plan to ramp up to £28billion of annual investment in the second half of the Parliament, subject to our fiscal rules.”

Starmer last week reaffirmed his commitment to going green.

He said: “We will put in investment, investment for the future.

Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer (C), Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (3R) and Shadow Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband (L)

A Labour spokesperson has denied the claim

GETTY

“And that’s where the £28billion figure comes from.”

However, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently poured damp water on the £28billion plan pushed by Shadow Environment Secretary Ed Miliband.

Reeves downgraded the pledge to spend the cash annually from the first year to by 2027.

Starmer is expected to keep his mission to Switch On Great British Energy.

Rishi Sunak

The Tories have criticised Labour for pursuing its policy

PA

The scheme includes a new publicly-owned energy company and promises to double onshore wind capacity and triple solar power by 2030.

Tories have criticised Labour for pursuing its bold policy.

Rishi Sunak warned the £28billion project is a “tax grab”.

The Prime Minister told MPs: “While he [Starmer] takes us back to square one with a £28billion tax grab, let us stick with the plan that is delivering a brighter future for Britain.”

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