Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho has labelled Ed Miliband a “walking, talking cost-of-living crisis” as gas and electricity prices have risen again this week. Her comments come ahead of Tory plans set to be unveiled tomorrow aimed at lowering utility bills, reports BritPanorama.
In response to rising energy costs, Coutinho vowed to pursue Miliband’s removal from his role as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. This follows predictions that energy prices would soar under his watch, with critics pointing to a lack of effective management amid promises to reduce bills.
Experts have cautioned that Miliband’s Net Zero strategy could aggravate the situation, as initial forecasts suggested a potential £300 cut in energy bills before the 2024 General Election. However, evidence shows that costs have already increased by £200 for households.
According to Coutinho, the UK has wasted £1 billion this year engaging in wind turbine shutdowns during periods of high wind, forcing reliance on costly gas-fired plants as replacements. This situation has reportedly added £15 to average household bills. She stated, “Ed Miliband is a disaster. Every decision he has made in government is going to send people’s bills up.”
As the Conservative Party prepares to address energy policy at their annual conference in Manchester, Coutinho plans to propose the elimination of green levies, which she claims add significant costs to consumer energy bills. She characterized low energy bills as essential for economic growth and the overall wellbeing of UK families.
Current energy price trends reveal the UK energy price cap has risen by two percent, with average annual costs for households now reaching £1,755. Coutinho has emphasized that reducing these financial burdens is a priority for the government, highlighting the role of the Tory party in addressing affordability.
Criticism aimed at Miliband has intensified, particularly regarding his contracts with offshore wind projects, which Coutinho argues will enforce long-term high prices for energy consumers. “We’re going to be saddled with these incredibly high prices for decades,” she warned.
As housing and domestic expenses remain of grave concern for many families, Coutinho’s statements represent a significant stance within the Conservative Party against the backdrop of increasing competition from others in the political arena, including Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. This competition is reportedly influencing Conservative energy policies as they seek to regain voter trust.
In a broader context, with worries about the UK’s fluctuating energy policy and a commitment to net zero emissions, the government has indicated plans to roll back the Climate Change Act of 2008 and the Net Zero target established by former Prime Minister Theresa May in 2019. The party pledges to implement real, fully funded plans to regain public trust in government energy initiatives.
Coutinho articulated this resolve, clarifying, “The biggest problem that this country faces is that we’ve got the highest industrial electricity prices in the world and the second highest domestic prices.” She reinforced her intent to deliver practical solutions moving forward, asserting that the party’s plans differ fundamentally from those of Labour and Reform UK, which she characterized as unrealistic.
The Conservative Party also aims to reshape the oversight of energy policy by dissolving the Climate Change Committee, signalling a decisive shift in approach to energy governance in the UK.
Her comments indicate that there may be a willingness to reconsider fracking, a contentious issue that had previously seen an easing of restrictions under former Prime Minister Liz Truss, but was later abandoned under Rishi Sunak’s leadership. Coutinho acknowledged the disruptive potential of fracking, cautioning against proceeding without local consent.
Recognizing past electoral challenges, Coutinho expressed optimism that upcoming initiatives would resonate positively with voters, saying, “This is the moment where we’ll start telling people all the results of our work, and be able to explain what our plan is.”
Coutinho ultimately positioned the Conservative Party as ready to implement robust energy strategies, assuring the public that they are prepared to tackle energy costs effectively, striving to restore confidence in governmental ability to deliver on vital needs.
