The Labour Party for North-West Essex today reconfirmed its ambition to bring forward a Green Prosperity Plan if it wins the general election in 2024 after moving away earlier this week from specifying how many billions of pounds can be delivered to support the UK’s transition to a green economy.

Vice chair of the constituency Labour party, Ben Cavanagh said: “Labour remains the best choice for voters who want climate action after the next election. Our Green Prosperity plan will deliver good jobs, lower bills, and provide energy security for British people. We will also stand up for nature, with no more licences for oil and gas drilling, and tougher penalties for polluting water companies.”

“That said, we understand some of our supporters will be frustrated that we have been forced to review how much we can afford to invest. We’ve had to take this decision after the Conservative government crashed the economy, forced up the cost of borrowing and has repeatedly used the climate change to try and score political points.”

Among Labour’s commitments at a national level are to:
• Set up Great British Energy for 100% cheap, renewable power by 2030 and roll out
insulation, saving households and businesses hundreds of pounds every year
• Create 500,000 jobs across the UK with new opportunities for plumbers, electricians and
other tradespeople to support a green transition in every community
• Unlock private sector investment in British green industries such as electric vehicle
production and clean steel

The Labour party has also signalled more support for Uttlesford and Chelmsford district councils, which declared a climate emergency in 2019. The councils’ good intentions have been held back by deep funding cuts from the Conservatives over the past decade, with a further 25% expected this year. The latest progress report in Uttlesford shows the council has so far delivered just a quarter of its 38 climate actions.

Labour would urge Uttlesford Council to go further with its Climate Plan by launching a new Uttlesford Green Charter setting out how residents and businesses can do their bit, and a new local skills centre as part of the district’s forthcoming Local Plan to support the district’s transition to greener homes and transport.

For its own part, a future Labour government has committed to devolving more powers to local councils and ensuring adequate levels of funding to support the transition to a green economy, with a greater emphasis on delivering better outcomes in every local community – starting with warmer homes, lower energy costs and more quality jobs in future industries. In order to achieve this vision, a new Labour government has promised to restore economic stability after 14-years of waste, corruption, and abuses of taxpayers’ money by the Conservative Party. It has also made clear it will need to balance the climate emergency with other priorities, in particular improving outcomes in health and education.

Notes to Editors

The Conservative Party fought the 2019 election on a manifesto promising to deliver Net Zero by 2050 but are increasingly off track and have watered down their own commitments, such as delaying the transition from gas boilers and polluting vehicles. Far right local MP Kemi Badenoch has repeatedly sought to delay the UK’s transition to a green economy.

Scientists have warned the 1.5 degrees threshold in global climate warming by 2050 has recently been breached and must not be allowed to get worse. The need for concerted action on climate change by government has growing support from the British public, with 40% of people in the UK now concerned about the environment – more than double that of a decade ago.