Starmer surrenders to EU net zero rules
‘Dynamic alignment’ of UK law with EU rules on promotion of renewable energy will require country to decarbonise rapidly
Sir Keir Starmer has drawn up plans under which the UK will ramp up its net zero targets and cede control over its energy policy as part of closer alignment with Brussels.
A memorandum, published by the Cabinet Office earlier this month, spells out the price that the UK is willing to pay to reset relations with Europe.
This includes a “dynamic alignment” of British law with EU rules on “the promotion of renewable energy”, which would require the UK to decarbonise – not just electricity, but also heating and transport, rapidly.
In practice this could see net zero targets doubled, potentially leading to draconian measures such as reducing meat consumption and restrictions on flying, wood fires and driving.
The Prime Minister stands accused of signing the UK up to a “poisoned chalice” deal, which will limit the ability of future governments to make decisions about the country’s own energy investment.
In a speech on Saturday, Sir Keir said Britain must align itself more closely to the EU single market and called for “deeper economic integration” with the bloc.
He suggested closer economic alignment could happen as soon as this year, adding that the UK needed to go further on closer relations with the EU in other sectors, including defence. The Conservatives accused Labour of a “Brexit betrayal”, saying the deal would “reduce growth and make Britain poorer”.
Sir Keir and Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, are negotiating for Britain to rejoin the EU’s internal electricity market, which treats the 27 countries of the EU and Norway as a single borderless power grid.
Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, said: “Labour’s deal with the EU has already pushed up energy bills and imposed higher carbon taxes on businesses in a £5bn hit to the economy – and it hasn’t even been signed yet.
“Labour’s deal means we will be locked into Europe’s energy policies, which will reduce growth and make Britain poorer.”
Under the proposals, the UK would also align with the EU’s “wholesale and retail electricity market rules”. Critics say this would mean ceding control of the country’s energy market to Brussels, as the UK would be bound by regulations over which it has no say
It could also see the UK restricted in its ability to fast-track investment in nuclear energy, because electricity state subsidies would have to mirror EU “state aid” rules, according to the memorandum.
The proposed deal would also create a “legally binding” financial mechanism linked to the size of the UK’s economy, meaning the taxpayer would pick up the tab for a permanent bill from Brussels.
Prof John Constable of the University of Austin, an expert on the UK renewable sector, said the deal was “fundamentally political”.
He told The Telegraph: “I fear that the Labour Government is trying to poison the well for any incoming government. It will be a poisoned chalice – they will be so fettered by EU law, and it will be incredibly difficult to unwind.
The Telegraph: continue reading
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