The UK government’s ban on onshore wind has resulted in 7GW of lost onshore wind capacity since 2015, according to the Labour Party.

Under the Conservative government, the UK is failing to reap the economic benefits of its clean energy sources, Labour said.

It said the “Conservative Party’s senseless ban on onshore wind is holding us back, with Britain missing out on thousands of jobs”.

The opposition party added the government is forfeiting the opportunity to export skills and products essential in the path towards net zero.

Labour would reverse the ban, so the “British people can reap the benefits of cleaner, cheaper power” it said.

Its plans to expand clean power are part of Keir Starmer’s commitment to make the UK a world-leading clean energy superpower by 2030, which would cut bills by £93bn for British families.

A Labour government would work with local authorities across the country to unleash the power of clean energy, it said. This would include ending the Conservatives’ ban, which is costing families and businesses thousands of pounds on their bills, the party claimed.

It has pledged to invest in renewable energy, hydrogen, carbon capture and nuclear power to make Britain a clean energy superpower and provide industry with access to secure low cost energy.

Labour Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Businesses are feeling the impacts of Conservative failure in higher energy prices.

“Britain is a brilliant place to start and grow a business but energy costs are holding firms back, impacting on investment and pushing prices up.
“Labour has a plan to lower industrial energy costs for good, ensuring we keep good jobs in our industrial heartlands for decades to come.

“Our modern Industrial Strategy will give renewed confidence to industry that it has a government on its side.”