LABOUR’S flagship green pledge was thrown into fresh chaos today as Sir Keir Starmer appeared at odds with his own shadow chancellor.
The party leader said a £28billion-a-year spending spree was “desperately needed” to boost renewable energy.
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His remarks came after Rachel Reeves recently refused 10 times to commit to the eye-watering figure that insiders have claimed is all-but dead.
Senior Tories today jumped on the confusion to accuse Sir Keir of plotting a tax raid on families to pay for the eco promise.
The Labour boss told Times Radio: “We’re going to have to have a proper industrial strategy with our partners.
“We’re going to have to deal with the grid, which is far too slow connecting up, and we’re going to need investment.
“That’s where the £28billion comes in, that investment that is desperately needed for that mission.
“And I’ve been unwavering in relation to the mission, clean power by 2030. And I keep getting challenges from people saying, you’re moving that date back, that mission, of clean power by 2030. I haven’t moved that date back at all.”
The Sun first revealed that Labour was preparing to drop the £28billion price tag late last month.
Insiders complained the figure had become “an albatross around our necks” amid relentless Tory attacks on how it would be paid for.
In subsequent grillings, party frontbenchers adopted a range of positions without directly promising to spend the amount of cash.
Ms Reeves even refused 10 times to confirm she would spend £28billion per year if she became Chancellor, while her deputy said the number would “move around”.
It had been widely expected she would junk the figure after the Budget on March 6 when the state of the finances became clear.
Labour sources denied a split between Sir Keir and Ms Reeves.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Laura Trott MP, said: “After weeks of chaos Keir Starmer has said Labour are not ‘scaling back’ from their £28 billion spending spree. This same old Labour approach of unfunded spending means higher taxes.
“He cannot say how he would fund his £28 billion spending spree because he does not have a plan to pay for it and that means higher taxes for hardworking people and uncertainty for British business.
“By sticking to the plan with Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives, we can continue to lower inflation, reduce debt and strengthen the economy to deliver a brighter future.”
