Ed Miliband’s ‘new era’ for energy policy is anything but

How the ground is shifting now that Labour finds itself in government and is actually responsible for UK energy policy. This morning, workers at a glass factory on Merseyside were treated to an unusual visit from the threesome that is the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Energy Secretary.

Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves and Ed Miliband had travelled up to announce the latest twist in the government’s energy policy: a £22 billion investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS). This, apparently, is an inspired policy to create jobs, help us accelerate to net zero and boost our economy. It is also extraordinarily similar to an announcement that the previous government made in March 2023, when Rishi Sunak pledged £20 billion towards CCS projects.

On that occasion, however, Miliband was far from enthusiastic. ‘Of course we need to replace retiring gas-fired stations as part of a decarbonised power system, which will include carbon capture and hydrogen playing a limited back up role in the system,’ he said.