Reform UK success in local elections could endanger national climate targets, report says – UK politics live | Politics
Good morning. Seven weeks from today, counting will take place for the UK’s local elections, and unless the polls are more wrong than ever before, Reform UK will be celebrating record wins. The commentary will focus on implications for national policy. But councils have significant powers and Reform victories in local government could have a significant impact on climate policy, a report published today says.
Reform We know that the UK is against net zero and that they have promised to cut green subsidies, but there is still some clarity about what exactly they will do about climate policy more generally. Reform Some figures in the UK flatly refuse to accept that man-made global warming is a reality. Others claim that they are against the pace of the transition to renewable energy. But party leader Nigel Farage Climate change skepticism has a long history.
To examine this in more detail, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment At the LSE, he researched what Reform UK had done in its councils since winning them last May and released its report this morning. Here are the key findings.
• Seven UK-led Reform councils have “scrapped” climate targets and climate change denial has been expressed by Reform UK councilors in five councils. Some of these councils have removed climate change-related content from their strategy documents.
• While efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions continue in these councils, combating climate change is no longer clearly shown as motivation.
• However, there are differences in how “scrapping net zero” is implemented, reflecting significant divergence of views within the party.
• There is also a lack of clarity in the party’s claims about how “scrapping net zero” delivers fiscal savings and how the party defines spending at net zero.
• Reform The UK is likely to take control of more local authorities in May 2026, including other unitary authorities with responsibilities for policy areas, planning practices and housing that are important to national climate targets.
• Reform If the UK wins more seats, the national government will face greater challenges in ensuring that local authorities contribute to the delivery of legislative and policy climate objectives.
This chart reveals what’s happening in the 10 councils where Reform UK has full control.
Edward de QuayOne of the analysts who wrote the report said:
In our study we found that ‘scrapping net zero’ is not just a policy position, but a broader signal of retreat from urgently addressing climate change. This takes the form of both delaying action and outright denial of climate change. Voters need to know that this is so.
We can expect further retreats from climate action if Reform UK expands its council base in May’s local elections. Given the importance of local governments in achieving national climate goals, the government needs to be alert to this challenge.
Here is the agenda of the day.
Morning: Housing secretary Steve Reed is visiting.
10am: Peers continue their debate on the assisted dying bill.
11.30: A lobby briefing is being held in Downing Street.
Afternoon: Kemi Badenoch is visiting the south of England.
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