Ed Miliband will reaffirm Labour's commitment to net zero this week, arguing that the Middle East conflict underscores the need for clean energy security. In a speech on Tuesday, the energy secretary is expected to announce new policies including accelerating the warm homes plan, expanding solar on public land, and delinking gas and electricity prices to reduce consumer bills.
Miliband will push back against calls from the Conservatives and Reform UK to ramp up North Sea drilling, stating that 'you can't solve a fossil fuel crisis by doubling down on fossil fuels.' He will avoid making a decision on the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields, for which licensing was initiated by the previous government.
The speech comes as oil prices are poised to rise about 4% on Monday after hopes of the Strait of Hormuz reopening were dashed. Iran has insisted the key maritime chokepoint remains under 'strict control.'
Miliband will argue that clean energy technologies are already seeing increased demand, citing a 50% rise in solar panel and heat pump sales at Octopus Energy since the war began, and record EV sales in March. He will stress that the era of fossil fuel security is over and that clean energy offers a stable, domestic alternative.
