Energy Bills Rise 2% to £1,755 Under Miliband Amid Net Zero Costs

Since Ed Miliband became the UK Energy Secretary, his pledge to cut household energy bills by £300 has not materialized; instead, energy prices have increased substantially, with the energy price cap rising by about £187. This rise occurs despite falling wholesale energy prices and lower gas prices, highlighting the impact of policy costs related to the government's push for Net Zero by 2030. The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar requires costly grid-balancing measures, including paying wind farms to shut down when generation is excessive and subsidizing gas plants when renewables underperform, all of which drive up consumer costs. Critics argue that Miliband's policies have led to some of the highest electricity and industrial energy prices globally, hurting British businesses and contributing to higher food prices and job losses. The government has expanded schemes like the Warm Home Discount, increasing standing charges and taxes that further raise household bills. Amid these controversies, opposition figures and analysts warn that continued focus on renewables without addressing energy security and cost concerns risks worsening the cost of living crisis and economic decline.