London, (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The Labour Party has unveiled plans to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030.
The ambitious plan involves slashing red tape and unblocking the planning system by “persuading some communities to get on board”. Sir Keir Starmer unveiled his new approach to planning during a visit to a wind farm in North Lincolnshire.
The labour leader said that he wanted to expand the parties landmark plan for clean power by 2030, which includes doubling the amount of onshore wind and quadrupling the amount of offshore wind by the end of the next decade.
Sir Keir also pledged that his government “will not shy away from the choices that have to be made” by easing planning restrictions for onshore wind turbines.
Meeting with industry leaders, workers and apprentices, the Labour leader told the audience that the economic potential of onshore and offshore wind is too great and “must not be sacrificed on the altar of the Conservative Party’s electoral woes”. He said the Labour plans will create over 100,000 new jobs in the wind sector and wider supply chain and committedto lifting the planning ban on onshore wind “because politics is about choices. And if that choice means some communities adapting to a new landscape, so we can create tens of thousands of good quality skilled jobs, I will not hesitate to make it. My government will make the big decisions needed to seize Britain’s future”.
He went on to say that the next Labour will turbocharge on-shore planning decisions, by:Â Â
The Labour Party believe that their commitment to rapidly expand renewable capacity, creating tens of thousands of jobs across the industry, stands in stark contrast to the records of the Government and administration in Scotland, which they argue have failed to deliver on promises made to British workers in the offshore wind industry.
In the press release about the plan, Labour blasted the “abysmal record” of the Conservatives and SNP, with saying that the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has recommitted his government to the long-standing de facto ban on building new onshore wind. A decision that the Labour Leader described a “national act of self-harm, choking off our economic potential”.
Sir Keir, continued: “My government will remove planning barriers, to unleash Britain’s potential. By making the UK a clean energy superpower, we’ll slash energy bills, create tens of thousands of quality jobs and turbocharge the economic security of communities up and down the country.
“Hemmed in by managing his fractured Party, the Prime Minister’s refusal to back onshore wind is about putting his party first, and the country second. Rishi Sunak’s inability to make the choices needed is a national act of self harm, choking off our economic potential.
“Tackling the climate crisis requires leadership. There will be communities that need to adapt to their new landscape. For jobs, skills, growth and our environmental responsibilities, my government will make the big decisions needed and seize Britain’s future.”
Announced at their conference in September, Labour’s Green Prosperity Plan is a set of policies, comprising a National Wealth Fund and GB Energy, a publicly-owned energy company, to invest in the technologies and the jobs of the future.
We have asked the UK and Scottish Governments for a comment and will add these as and when they are received.
ENDS