Energy costs and bills are overriding aim, says Fahnbulleh
Miatta Fahnbulleh tells BBC Panorama that cutting energy bills is her top priority as the government faces mounting political pressure over climate targets.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Miatta Fahnbulleh insists that lowering energy bills remains her top overriding objective.
- The UK government faces intense pressure as energy prices are predicted to surge in January.
- Opposition parties criticize green subsidies for driving up consumer energy costs.
- Ministers weigh reducing EV targets and approving fossil fuel projects like Jackdaw.
Speaking to BBC Panorama, Miatta Fahnbulleh insisted that the government's drive for cleaner power would help to cut energy bills in the long term, while candidly conceding that the push to reduce carbon emissions is currently under severe pressure amid widespread public discontent over rising prices.
This political friction comes as government ministers grapple with how to respond to a predicted surge in energy prices in January, which is widely expected to mark the biggest rise in household bills for four years. UK households currently shoulder some of the highest electricity rates in Europe, driven up not only by green subsidies but also by soaring international gas prices fueled by global conflicts.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
When asked during her interview about her primary task in office, Fahnbulleh replied directly that affordability is her absolute overriding objective given the biting cost of living crisis. However, she acknowledged that struggles over energy affordability form part of the reason why the broader political consensus on climate action is now under pressure.
"With the cost of living biting, affordability is my overriding objective, without a doubt."
Miatta Fahnbulleh
Since coming to power, the Labour government has faced extra political pressure over its climate ambitions. Reform UK has risen in opinion polls, and the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch have disowned their previous target of reaching net zero by 2050. Both opposition parties have targeted public subsidy schemes for renewable electricity generation, arguing that the push for green energy has inflated costs for everyday consumers.
The ongoing tension between achieving long-term net-zero targets and alleviating short-term cost-of-living pressures highlights a critical dilemma for the UK administration. Concessions such as reviewing EV mandates and approving new gas drilling demonstrate how political shifts and opposition gains directly influence environmental policymaking.
Adding to the controversy, the government has faced criticism from green campaigners for diverting funding from the energy department to meet defense spending targets, including funds previously earmarked for energy efficiency schemes. Last month, ministers approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field, and reports suggest the government is considering weakening the electric vehicle mandate requiring manufacturers to phase out petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
Source: BBC Politics
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