Rebecca Long Bailey MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, commenting on reports that the Government is set to announce a target to cut all emissions by 2050, said:

“This announcement comes as the Government slashes support for small scale renewables, scales back support for electric vehicles in a move described by industry as ‘astounding’, and is slammed by a leading climate scientist for its pursuit of fracking. This gaping contradiction is no accident – it is hypocrisy of the highest order, and an affront to those communities on which this government has forced the fracking industry.

“Labour is serious about achieving net zero emissions before 2050, announced at our conference three weeks ago. That is why we are developing serious immediate policies to dramatically decarbonise energy and insulate four million homes as part of a green jobs revolution.

“It would be tempting to say the Government is playing catch up – but it’s not true. The fact is, it is too in hock to its donors from the oil and gas industries to take the action needed.”