UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Energy Secretary Ed Miliband faces backlash as “eco-hypocrite” for refusing to reveal UK flights, despite advocating strict net zero rules and higher air taxes.
As reported by The Telegraph, Ed Miliband was branded an “eco-hypocrite” after refusing to disclose his domestic flight records.
Officials insist no details of Mr Miliband’s domestic flights will be published since July.
What did Claire Coutinho accuse Ed Miliband of regarding domestic flights?
It came after a Tory MP pressed Miliband to publish details of internal UK flights since the election.
Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said Mr Miliband’s refusal showed “one rule for him and another for everyone else,” noting his strong criticism of domestic flights.
He said,
“As Ed Miliband sticks a holiday tax of up to £400 on a family of four, it does seem the height of hypocrisy that he won’t reveal his own flights, which are funded by the taxpayer.”
Mr Coutinho added,
“People expect transparency and fairness from their politicians, but when it comes to the most stringent net zero costs, it’s one rule for him and another for everyone else.”
Responding on Mr Miliband’s behalf, Michael Shanks, the energy minister, said,
“Details of internal domestic flights are not published.”
How did Miliband justify higher domestic flight spending despite pushing net-zero policies?
Mr Miliband mirrors other Whitehall departments, keeping ministers’ UK flights secret.
The Government stated that it was “the practice of successive administrations”, including Conservative ones, not to “publish granular information” about their flights.
Mr Miliband, responsible for net zero policies, in past urged Britons to cut down on domestic flights “as much as possible.” He was criticised after his department spent more on UK flights than the previous Tory administration.
The figures show that between July and December last year, domestic flights for ministers and officials cost £44,000. This exceeded the £40,000 spent by the Tories in the first half of 2024, when Ms Coutinho led the net zero ministry.
Ed Miliband’s views on limiting flights and using trains
Ed Miliband previously urged the government to promote train and bus travel. When questioned about banning local flights, he responded, “Not completely, but as much as we possibly can.”
In 2021, he stated,
“Fairness and giving people alternatives is an absolutely key part of making this transition happen.”
Before the election, Labour pledged to curb ministers’ flights, promising stricter rules on air travel.
Since taking office, the Energy Secretary has faced criticism for foreign travel, spending 10 times more than Ms Coutinho.
According to the Taxpayers’ Alliance, Mr Miliband’s foreign travel cost £62,712 in six months. While his Tory counterpart only spent £6,155 during her first 6 months in the position.
UK net-zero goals
Britain is fully legally committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050 under the Climate Change Act 2008. It plans to cut emissions by 68% by 2030 and 81% by 2035, guided by carbon budgets.
The government aims to fully decarbonise the electricity grid by 2030 using wind, solar, and nuclear power.
Transport, buildings, and industry are falling behind in cutting emissions, as more electric vehicles, heat pumps, and electrification are needed. However, watchdogs warn of delays due to slow renewable rollout and legal issues.