Labour's green promise in CHAOS as Sir Keir Starmer revives £28bn spending spree

LABOUR's flagship green pledge was thrown into fresh chaos today as Sir Keir Starmer appeared to be at odds with his own shadow chancellor.

The party leader said spending £28 billion a year was “desperately needed” to boost renewable energy.

His comments came after Rachel Reeves recently refused ten times to commit to the stunning figure who insiders claimed is as good as dead.

Senior Tories today seized on the confusion by accusing Sir Keir of plotting a tax attack on families to pay for the eco pledge.

The Labor boss told Times Radio: “We will need to have a good industrial strategy together with our partners.

“We will have to deal with the electricity grid, which connects much too slowly, and we will need investments.

“That's where the £28 billion comes in, that investment that is desperately needed for that mission.

“And I've been steadfast on the mission, clean energy by 2030. And I keep getting challenges from people saying, you're pushing back that date, that mission, of clean energy by 2030. I haven't moved that date at all more.”

The Sun first reported late last month that Labor was preparing to cut the £28 billion price tag.

Insiders complained the figure had become “an albatross around our necks” amid relentless Tory attacks on how it would be paid.

In subsequent grillings, the party's frontbenchers took a series of positions without directly promising to spend the amount of cash.

Ms Reeves even refused to confirm 10 times that she would spend £28bn a year if she became Chancellor, with her deputy saying the number would “shift around”.

She was widely expected to ditch the figure after the March 6 budget, when the state of the finances became clear.
Commenting, Principal Secretary to the Treasury, Laura Trott MP, said:

“After weeks of chaos, Keir Starmer has said Labor will not cut back on their £28 billion spending spree. This same old Labor approach to unfunded spending means higher taxes.

“He cannot say how he would finance his £28 billion expenditure because he has no plan to pay for it and that means higher taxes for hardworking people and uncertainty for British business.

“By sticking to Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives' plan we can continue to lower inflation, reduce debt and strengthen the economy to deliver a better future.”