A report by the think tank Onward claims that dropping net zero targets could cut up to £200 off household electricity bills. The research suggests that abandoning plans for all electricity to come from clean sources by 2030, removing carbon taxes, and using a mix of nuclear, gas, and renewables could save £320 billion.
Potential Savings and Political Reactions
The think tank said the change could see household energy bills fall by £200 a year by 2035. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch commented on the findings, saying: “Britain needs a serious plan to deal with climate change. Seriousness means looking at results, not simply setting targets and congratulating ourselves afterwards.”
Badenoch added: “Current net zero targets have driven up energy costs, weakened our industrial base, and made us more dependent on energy imports, while doing too little to make the country more resilient to floods, droughts, and other consequences of the changing climate.”
Conservative and Labour Responses
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said the report was “a true costing of renewables which shows they are not cheaper when you take into account their full system cost”. She added: “It shows we can save consumers a whopping £320 billion on their energy bills over the next 20 years and still have electricity that is nearly 80% clean.”
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh responded: “By following Reform's lead, the Tories will tie Britain to the fossil fuel rollercoaster and keep bills higher for families. Labour is investing in more clean energy jobs, cutting tax on electricity bills to give families breathing space this winter and we’re taking action to tackle the climate crisis and bring down bills for good.”
Oil and Gas Decisions
The report comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces pressure to approve more oil and gas drilling, with final decisions due on the Rosebank oil field and Jackdaw gas field. US President Donald Trump has urged him to open up the North Sea, but he faces opposition from some Labour MPs.
Labour donor Dale Vince has changed his mind on new drilling, saying the PM should approve the projects if the oil and gas is subject to price controls. He had previously argued that more drilling “would be a betrayal of millions of us”.
