Burnham Heads to COP31 Torn Between Cheaper Power and Net Zero

Andy Burnham will face difficult decisions on energy policy against the competing pressures of sky-high industrial costs and Labour's net zero commitments. Mauricio Alencar looks at the trade-offs facing the government before the Prime Minister's COP 31 visit. While it didn't make the headlines, Chancellor John Healey's Budget speech signalled a huge shift in positioning from previous governments over net zero.

"Today I'm setting a new course on energy to get UK energy costs down in line with Europe," Healey said. "From this point, our government priority is first and foremost cheaper energy, with clean power key to achieving this." The lines raised eyebrows in Westminster.