Miatta Fahnbulleh prioritizes affordable energy amid electricity price hikes in January

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh told BBC Panorama on Monday that making energy affordable is her “overriding objective”, stressing that lower bills are essential to keep public support for the government’s climate programme. She made the remarks in a recorded interview aired on Monday night, as the UK prepares for a predicted jump in electricity prices in January that could be the biggest rise in four years.

The warning comes as households face some of the highest electricity costs in Europe, a situation driven by generous subsidies for renewable projects and the lingering impact of high gas prices after international conflicts. Labour’s climate agenda is under pressure from rising living costs, with Reform UK gaining ground in the polls and the Conservative Party, now led by Kemi Badenoch, distancing itself from the net‑zero‑by‑2050 pledge. Both opposition parties have blamed public subsidy schemes for pushing consumer bills higher, while scientists warn that 2026 is on track to be the hottest year on record, adding urgency to the climate debate.

Fahnbulleh argued that the push for cleaner power is the route to long‑term affordability. “Decoupling our dependence on global fossil‑fuel markets by expanding home‑grown renewables and nuclear is how we will drive down bills,” she said. She acknowledged that the public’s frustration over cost of living pressures is testing the consensus on climate action, but insisted that the transition can be “good for people’s pockets” if it delivers cheaper energy. The interview also hinted at upcoming adjustments to the government’s electric‑vehicle targets, which are expected to be revised later this week.

The next steps will test whether Labour can balance its climate ambitions with the immediate need to protect consumers from soaring costs. Ministers are expected to outline a detailed plan for the January price surge and to clarify how subsidy reforms and the revised EV targets will fit into a broader strategy to keep energy bills in check while still meeting climate goals. The outcome will shape public confidence in the government’s ability to deliver both a greener and more affordable energy system.