Rachel Reeves defends Labour ditching £28 billion green spending pledge

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Rachel Reeves has defended Labour's decision its pledge to spend £28 billion a year on green projects.The move has been slammed by the SNP, environmental groups, trade unions and energy industry figures.The shadow chancellor blamed the Conservatives’ mishandling of the economy, including Liz Truss’ disastrous mini-budget, for Labour scrapping the policy.She also warned Labour would face a “bleak inheritance” if it wins power at the next general election.Labour leader Keir Starmer announced on Thursday the figure would be drastically scaled back to £23.7 billion over the course of the next parliament if his party wins the next election.He insisted the ambitions behind Labour’s flagship green prosperity plan remain the same, and recommitted to his mission to achieve clean power by 2030.But the party’s plan to insulate homes is set to be watered down.

Only five million are expected to be completed in the first five years rather than the 19 million initially promised.Reeves was asked on Friday morning why voters should believe Labour when it sets out promises and pledges.She told BBC Breakfast: “I’ll make no apologies for ensuring that our plan is fully costed, fully funded and deliverable within the inheritance we’re going to get.“It is going to be a bleak inheritance after the damage the Conservatives have done to our economy.”She said: “In the almost three years that I’ve been shadow chancellor, I think people have heard loud and clear from me that fiscal responsibility, economic responsibility, are the most important things for me because it is absolutely essential that the public finances are managed well.”“And when economic circumstances change, your plans have to change as well,” Reeves added.The spending pledge was