Rachel Reeves overturns ‘absurd’ Tory offshore wind farm ban

Rachel Reeves has ditched the Conservatives’ “absurd” offshore wind ban in a bid to restart the economy, claiming the new Labor government’s economic legacy was the worst since World War Two.

The chancellor has ordered civil servants to compile a dossier on the state of the economy after 14 years of Tory rule.

Speaking at the Treasury, she said she had repeatedly warned of the dire state of public finances during the general election and “what I’ve seen in the last 72 hours has only confirmed that”.

“Our economy has been held back by delayed decisions and delayed decisions … by political self-interest before the national interest,” she said.

Ms Reeves also highlighted:

She also said Labor would focus on whether to classify onshore wind as nationally significant infrastructure – a move that would allow large farms to gain planning approval more quickly.

“Make no doubt – we will get Britain building again. We will get the British economy growing again,” the Chancellor promised, adding: “From today we are ending the absurd ban on new offshore wind in England.

She added: “We have to recognize that there are always trade-offs. Any development can have environmental consequences, put pressure on services and awaken voices of local opposition, but we will not succumb to the status quo, which responds to the existence of trade-offs by always saying no.”

The move was welcomed by the energy sector and environmental activists.

Under the previous rules, onshore wind was treated differently from other developments – effectively stopping ongoing programs in the event of any objections.

Labor said it would lift the ban within weeks if it came to power.

The party wants to double onshore wind power as part of its plans to transition to more clean energy by 2030.

One of the cheapest forms of new energy can reduce dependence on expensive gas and help reduce climate emissions, experts say.

Energy UK chief executive Emma Pinchbeck said: “It is great to see the new government prioritizing reform planning as a key driver for economic growth and strengthening our energy security.

“Unblocking the planning system, removing the de facto ban on onshore wind doubling and ensuring adequate resources for planning authorities are essential steps that the industry has long called for,” she said.

However, she warned that the previous ban had severely limited the possibilities for new developments.

The chief executive of industry body RenewableUK Dan McGrail said lifting the ban was “long overdue and we are pleased that Labor has made this one of its first priorities in office.

“This shows that the new Government is determined to act quickly to tackle some of the long-standing barriers to the UK developing vital new clean energy infrastructure.”

He said public support for onshore wind was “high”, with 78 percent backing the technology in official polls.

Modern turbines were more efficient and powerful than older wind farms, he added.

Alethea Warrington, chief campaigner at climate charity Possible, described the announcement as “a really positive step forward for our climate, our economy and our energy bills”.

“This is a sensible and practical step that reflects the strong support of the British public for onshore wind, which cuts across political parties and all constituencies.”

Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said that while much of the designated greenbelts bordering cities “aren’t exactly havens for wildlife”, they serve a vital purpose in preventing urban sprawl. and that building on it should be a “last resort”.