Grant Shapps: ‘Part of the answer on energy security is to diversify from fossil fuels’
Grant Shapps has announced that the government will seek to convene a major international summit on energy security which will include discussions about the need to “diversify from fossil fuels”. Speaking to Politico, the energy security and net zero secretary said the London conference, set for Spring 2024, would coincide with the second anniversary of […]
Week-in-Review: Rishi Sunak has a net zero problem
Expectations were high ahead of the prime minister’s “Green Day” blitz on Friday — much too high for the government, it seems, as officials undertook an eleventh-hour hype management exercise. References to the 1990s California rock band were dropped from ministerial diaries as the government transitioned to the more cautious “Energy Security Day” tagline, revised […]
Shapps unveils energy plan to ‘power Britain from Britain’ – Labour say it is ‘reheated policy’
Energy security and net zero secretary Grant Shapps has said he wants the government wanted to “power Britain from Britain” as he announced a new plan to increase the UK’s energy security and net zero drive. Mr Shapps is today publishing a package of measures designed to make the nation’s energy supply more resilient in […]
‘The work starts right away’, says new Conservative chair Greg Hands following cabinet reshuffle
Rishi Sunak has appointed Greg Hands as the new chairman of the Conservative party as the prime minister conducted a reshuffle of his top team. Mr Hands, who had been serving in the Government as an international trade minister, will replace Nadhim Zahawi who was sacked as party chair over a scandal relating to his […]
‘Common sense’ anti-strike laws likely to face court challenge, Shapps suggests
The Government expects its new anti-strike legislation, which will have its first reading in the House of Commons today, to be challenged in the courts, Grant Shapps has suggested. Asked whether the strikes (minimum service levels) bill could be delayed because of legal challenges from unions, the business secretary told Times Radio: “Well, here is […]
Grant Shapps insists anti-strike laws are ‘very reasonable’
Ministers have announced new anti-strike legislation which will enforce “minimum service” requirements in six key public services including the NHS and schools. The law, which will be introduced in the coming weeks, will allow bosses in health, education, fire, ambulance, rail and nuclear commissioning, to sue unions and sack employees if the minimum “levels” are […]
From Cameron to Sunak: The long history of Conservative infighting over onshore wind
The winds of change are blowing through the Conservative party — or is it a hurricane? Under proposals announced on Tuesday evening, the government is set to reverse the de facto ban on onshore wind farm development first introduced under David Cameron in 2015. In the end, it took just weeks of campaigning from Simon […]
Shapps hints at government climbdown over onshore wind
Grant Shapps has signalled that the government will back down and lift the onshore wind farm ban to thwart a growing backbench rebellion over the issue. Speaking to Sky News, Mr Shapps said “there will be more” onshore wind farms “over time”. He added: “We already have quite a lot of onshore wind. … I […]
Chancellor says he has ‘contrition’ as he reverses plans to cut 45p rate of income tax
The new chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has confirmed that the government has cancelled plans to abolish the 45p rate of income tax on those earning over £150,000. Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 ‘Today’ programme this morning, Mr Kwarteng said, “On the 45p rate, it is very simple, we talked to a lot of people around […]
Grant Shapps: ‘I don’t meet with unions’
Ahead of today’s landmark rail strike, transport secretary Grant Shapps has stressed that he does not usually hold meetings with trade unions. The industrial action, also scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, is set to be the most dramatic UK rail walkout in over three decades. Today around 4,500 rail services will run, compared to the […]
