Chancellor John Healey reaffirmed that the Government remained \u201cunshakably\u201d committed to net zero by 2050 \u2013 but there was little in the Budget to prove that.<\/p>\n
With energy costs spiralling due to conflict in the Middle East, ministers are now talking of a shift from clean power to cheap power.<\/p>\n
The cost of living crisis is steering Number 10 towards energy market reform in favour of consumers and industry \u2013 giving them a \u2018breathing space\u2019, as Healey repeatedly said in his speech rather than any particular move towards ensuring that energy comes from renewable sources.<\/p>\n
The message from the Treasury is that until the new energy framework is in place, no further policy costs will be placed on bills unless they bring them down or \u201care essential to keep the lights on\u201d.<\/p>\n
In other words \u2013 forget green levies. Projects previously funded by these will now be paid for out of general taxation.<\/p>\n
The recent approval of the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea showed the Government’s “pragmatic” direction of travel, Healey said in his Budget speech.<\/p>\n
With the need for more affordable homes across the country, getting them built is also a priority that can rub up against green measures.<\/p>\n
The Chancellor announced he would exempt smaller housing developments on brownfield land from \u2018biodiversity net gain\u2019 requirements, saying that would make them cheaper and simpler to build.<\/p>\n
With opposition growing to plans for huge data centres across the UK, he also announced a ‘British data centre covenant’ aimed at ensuring operators invest in local communities, create jobs and protect water supplies.<\/p>\n
However, this will be in return for faster access to grid connections and, where necessary, permission to generate power on site.<\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly, Healey\u2019s lack of action on renewables and other sustainability measures was greeted with dismay by pressures groups.<\/p>\n
Friends of the Earth head of science, policy and research Mike Childs described the Budget as a \u201chuge, missed opportunity\u201d.<\/p>\n
While welcoming the \u00a3100 rebate for households in Council Tax bands A to D, he said it was \u201ca sticking plaster approach to the UK\u2019s exposure to volatile international gas markets\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cMuch greater investment is needed to rapidly reduce our reliance on expensive gas by insulating the nation\u2019s heat-leaking homes and rolling out heat pumps at scale,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cBolder action is needed to bring bills down, including removing all existing policy costs from electricity and breaking the link between electricity prices and the cost of gas.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chancellor says Government remains \u201cunshakably\u201d committed to net zero by 2050<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":272345,"featured_media":2116709,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[128805,9,120780],"coauthors":[137101],"class_list":["post-2116708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-infrastructure","category-property","category-sustainability","tag-east-midlands","tag-featured-story","tag-national","tag-northwest","tag-scotland","tag-south-west","tag-west-midlands","tag-yorkshire"],"yoast_head":"\n