Tuesday 16 May 2017

Labour Party Manifesto: 60% of UK’s energy to go green by 2030

The Labour Party's energy policy would ensure at least 60% of the UK's energy comes from zero-carbon or renewable sources by 2030.

That's according to its manifesto, which was officially released earlier today and outlines how investments in green gas and renewable electricity production would be used to ensure security of energy supply and 'keep the lights on'.

Jeremy Corbyn's party states it would get rid of the National Grid in favour of a publicly owned, decentralised energy system.

Similarly, it plans to replace the UK's "dysfunctional" water system with a network of regional publicly-owned water companies.

Labour says it would ban fracking to avoid locking the UK into fossil fuels and encourage development in the areas of Carbon Capture and Storage and tidal lagoons.

In a drive to ensure energy costs remain affordable while the UK transitions to a low carbon economy, the manifesto recommends an immediate price cap of £1,000 a year for the average dual-fuel household energy bill.

It would also support the creation of publicly owned, locally accountable energy companies to rival existing private energy suppliers by purchasing regional grid infrastructure.

The manifesto includes an ambitious claim to insulate at least four millions homes to improve health, cut emissions and reduce fuel poverty.

Labour say they would also retain access to Euratom, to allow continued nuclear trade, research and collaboration.