Ed Miliband has pledged to 'double down' on his push for clean energy, arguing that recent turmoil in the Middle East highlights the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Speaking amid rising fuel costs following conflict involving Iran, the Energy Secretary is expected to say that the era of fossil fuel security is over and that the United Kingdom must accelerate its transition to renewable power.

Alongside Chancellor Rachel Reeves, he will outline plans to break the link between gas and electricity prices, which currently allows gas-fired power stations to set wholesale electricity costs. The proposal would require older renewable and nuclear generators to move to fixed-price contracts, supported by tax incentives, with the aim of stabilising household bills within a year.

The announcement will also include measures to expand renewable energy on public land, such as installing solar panels along railway lines, and to make it easier for households to adopt technologies like electric vehicle chargers and heat pumps. However, opposition figures have warned that the reforms could raise prices and argue that fuel costs account for only a quarter of electricity bills, with the majority made up of other charges and levies.