Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
Fahnbulleh says lowering energy costs is her overriding aim
UK minister Fahnbulleh says making energy affordable is her overriding aim.
UK households pay some of Europe’s highest electricity rates, with bills affected by both clean-energy subsidies and costly gas.
Fahnbulleh argues that renewables and nuclear power can reduce reliance on global fossil fuel markets and lower bills over time.
She said the government’s target for 95% of British electricity to come from clean sources by 2030 is a stretch.
The government is considering weakening its rule to phase out petrol and diesel car production by 2035.
Ministers are heading to Turkey for the COP31 climate summit as the debate continues over how to balance climate action with household costs.
Fahnbulleh said affordability is her overriding aim as the cost of living puts pressure on households.
She argued that expanding clean power can help make energy more affordable over the long term by reducing dependence on global fossil fuel markets.
She said reducing carbon emissions remains a priority, but described the target for 95% of British electricity to come from clean sources by 2030 as a stretch.
Reform UK and the Conservatives have criticised public subsidies for renewable electricity, arguing they have raised consumer costs.
UK households pay one of the highest rates for electricity in Europe, with bills affected by subsidies and high gas prices.
- Who
- Fahnbulleh, speaking in a Panorama interview.
- What
- She said affordability is her overriding aim and argued that clean power can help lower bills over the long term.
- When
- The interview aired on Monday night; it was recorded the previous week. The article was published on 9 November 2026.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Energy affordability is under pressure, and Fahnbulleh said clean power can reduce dependence on global fossil fuel markets.
Labour and Fahnbulleh
Reform UK and the Conservatives
Energy costs
Labour and Fahnbulleh
Fahnbulleh said clean power is one route to affordability over the long term.
Reform UK and the Conservatives
The parties argue that subsidies for renewable electricity have driven up consumer costs.
Climate policy
Labour and Fahnbulleh
Fahnbulleh said reducing carbon emissions remains a priority.
Reform UK and the Conservatives
The Conservatives have disowned their previous ambition of reaching net zero by 2050; both parties have criticised renewable-energy subsidies.
Fahnbulleh's Panorama interview was recorded.
The Panorama interview aired.
- Clean-power target
- 95% of British electricity from clean sources by 2030
- Net-zero ambition
- The Conservatives disowned their previous target of reaching net zero by 2050
- Electricity costs
- UK households pay one of the highest rates for electricity in Europe
- Article publication
- 9 November 2026
What people are saying
With the cost of living biting, affordability is my overriding objective, without a doubt.
The drive to clean power is about decoupling our dependence on global fossil fuel markets
Ultimately if we have homegrown renewables, nuclear, that's the way in which we will drive bills in the long term.
absolutely is a priority