By
Jamie
The impacts of climate change are impossible to ignore and the government’s own polling suggests over three-quarters of the British public are concerned – so why is Andy Burnham’s new cabinet silent about it?
We take a look at the climate credentials of the new cabinet – including the surprise appointment to Number 11… For our climate take on Prime Minister Andy Burnham himself, take a look at our last newsletter.
Andy Burnham has barely spoken a word about climate since taking office. He’s even talked about expanding North Sea oil and gas. As our new government sets its policy direction and gets ready for its first Budget, let’s tell Burnham that strong climate policies can win Labour much-needed votes. A regular subscription of just £5 a month will help us build numbers and show our leaders that voters want climate action.
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With his hands on the public purse, the new Chancellor will have a major influence over the new administration’s climate agenda. Healey has previously said very little about climate – and as Defence Secretary under Starmer, lobbied for a reallocation of spending, which saw £2 billion transferred from energy and green investment to defence. With Healey in Number 11, does this leave green spending vulnerable should the government need money to fund its other priorities?
Miatta Fahnbulleh replaces Ed Miliband as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. Miliband’s exit means the department will lose a strong and principled advocate for emissions reductions – but Fahnbulleh’s appointment is good news for climate. Before becoming an MP in 2024, Fahnbulleh headed up progressive think tank the New Economics Foundation, where she campaigned for green investment and was an outspoken critic of fossil fuels.
Elsewhere in the DESNZ team, Michael Shanks remains Minister for Energy and Katie White has been promoted from a climate-focused parliamentary under-secretary role to Minister of State. That means pro-climate ministers have been retained or promoted – more good news.
Ed Miliband was seen as a frontrunner for Chancellor alongside Shabana Mahmood, but after intensive lobbying by fossil fuel interests and even some unions, has moved to the Foreign Office instead. Although this is considered a promotion, it is unclear how much power it will give Miliband to advance the decarbonisation agenda he championed as Energy Secretary – although it may provide opportunities for climate diplomacy.
Shabana Mahmood was touted as Miliband’s key rival for the Treasury, but instead of moving to Number 11 she has stayed at the Home Office. From a climate perspective, her appointment as Chancellor would have been bad news – so her reappointment as Home Secretary is essentially a ‘climate neutral’ decision.
Angela Eagle has been appointed as Environment Secretary. We were unable to uncover any Parliamentary speeches or major interventions on climate or the environment. However, Eagle posted on X in 2023 that, without action, climate change would lead to human extinction – a much stronger statement than many MPs have managed!
It is good news that Ed Miliband remains in the cabinet at a senior level, and is joined by Miatta Fahnbulleh as Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary. However, the appointment of John Healey – and not Miliband – as Chancellor is a huge missed opportunity for climate. It has been briefed that Burnham intends to approve drilling in the North Sea’s Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields, which already have exploration licences. However, it seems likely he will stick to the letter of Labour’s manifesto pledge not to grant new licences.
Overall, it is too early to say how climate policy will pan out – but Burnham’s initial silence on climate is not a good sign.
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With very best wishes
Ben, Garry, Jamie, Peter and Will
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