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Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho has taken aim at Labour\u2019s \u201cmad\u201d plans to borrow \u00a328 billion and send British jobs abroad.<\/p>\n
The opposition party has pledged to spend the sum every year on green initiatives if \u201cfiscal rules\u201d allow it.<\/p>\n
Speaking at COP28 in Dubai, Ms Coutinho said: “I think the Labour Party have a lot of explaining to do, even in the energy space, they’ve barely set out any plans and where they have they’ve been criticised by the unions, by the industry and half the time it seems like the Labour leadership themselves don’t even agree with them.<\/p>\n
“Energy is so important for our future, for our businesses and our people to thrive. I think the fact that they’ve got mad plans to borrow \u00a328 billion and send British jobs abroad so that we have to import fuel with higher emissions just goes to show that they’re not ready to lead the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Labour had originally promised in 2021 to invest \u00a328 billion a year until 2030 in green projects if it came to power.<\/p>\n
However, in June shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said the figure would instead be a target to work towards in the second half of a first parliament.<\/p>\n
The party denied reports last month it has been watered down yet again at the instance of Sir Keir Starmer<\/p>\n
Speaking on Monday, the Labour leader said: \u201cThe \u00a328 billion, we will ramp up to that in the second half of the Parliament.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be used to trigger that other investment from the private sector and we\u2019ll ramp up \u2013 it\u2019s not a question of the investment not starting until the middle of the next Parliament.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is, of course, subject to our fiscal rules. But I am confident that if we turbocharge the growth that we need, we\u2019ll be able to achieve the investment we need within the fiscal rules.\u201d<\/p>\n
His party has been consistently ahead in opinion polls, with some surveys putting them as much as 20 points ahead of the Tories, who have been in power since 2010.<\/p>\n
But Ms Coutinho insisted the Tories had \u201ccredible, positive plans\u201d for the country which could put the party on track to victory in an expected general election next year.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cWe’re going to get on with delivering credible positive plans for the country, making sure that we’re bringing in jobs and investment and personally that I’m securing enough energy for the country to succeed in the decades ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Coutinho insisted ministers are \u201chard headed\u201d about protecting Britons from rocketing bills as the nation transitions to net zero.<\/p>\n