Green issues slipping down Burnham’s agenda: climate always comes second amid concern over targets

Climate questions mount

Burnham’s MPs have become more concerned about his record on climate after a series of government announcements. They are now watching two decisions expected in the coming weeks: whether Fahnbulleh approves the larger Rosebank oilfield and whether ministers reduce electric vehicle targets.

Oil and vehicle decisions

Ministers are due to meet this week to finalise the 2030 electric vehicle target. The Guardian understands it will be cut by about a quarter, a move that has raised concern among Labour MPs focused on climate.

Fahnbulleh’s allies say she wants to block Rosebank, while people close to Healey say he wants the oilfield to proceed. Supporters of Jackdaw argue that domestic gas would reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, citing Europe’s dependence on Russian gas at the start of the war in Ukraine.

Green funding under pressure

Cuts are set to fall mainly on the £15bn warm homes plan, which was intended to support heat pumps, rooftop solar panels, batteries and home insulation. Funding for hydrogen and carbon capture technologies has also been cut by £700m.

Competing views on costs

Those defending the reductions say they were originally agreed by Keir Starmer’s government. They also argue that cutting VAT from electricity bills would encourage consumers to move away from gas.

Danny Gross of Friends of the Earth said electricity remained expensive because some levies had not been removed. He argued those costs should be transferred to general taxation, while Greenpeace’s Ami McCarthy warned that the government could reverse climate progress despite having the right intentions.