Fahnbulleh says energy affordability is her ‘overriding objective’

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh says making energy affordable is her “overriding objective”, as the government faces pressure over rising bills and the cost of its climate policies.

In an interview with BBC Panorama, recorded last week and broadcast on Monday, Fahnbulleh argued that shifting to cleaner electricity could reduce bills over time by making Britain less dependent on volatile global fossil-fuel markets.

“Ultimately, if we have homegrown renewables, nuclear, that’s the way in which we will drive bills in the long term,” she said.

She acknowledged that public support for climate action was “under pressure” amid energy affordability concerns. The government needed to show the transition was “good for people’s pockets”, she said.

The remarks come as ministers consider how to respond to a forecast rise in energy prices in January, expected to be the biggest increase in bills for four years. UK households pay some of Europe’s highest electricity rates. Subsidies for cleaner power have contributed to bills, while the high cost of gas, driven by international conflicts, has also pushed prices up.

Fahnbulleh said cutting emissions remained a priority but described Labour’s goal of generating 95% of Britain’s electricity from clean sources by 2030 as a “stretch”. Her comments come amid political arguments over the cost and pace of the transition, including reports that ministers are considering weakening the electric vehicle mandate requiring manufacturers to phase out petrol and diesel car production by 2035.