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Miliband Slams Reform's Anti-Climate Push as a Job Killer

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 9:02 GMT by Bloomberg L.P.
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Miliband Critiques Reform UK’s “Job‑Killer” Climate Rollback

Bloomberg, Oct. 1, 2025

In a scathing new column, former UK climate advocate and one‑time Member of Parliament, Thomas Miliband, calls Reform UK’s latest climate‑related policy draft “a job‑killer” and a “classic populist gambit.” Miliband’s warning comes as Reform UK—an up‑and‑coming party that has positioned itself as a counterweight to both Labour’s progressive agenda and the Conservative Party’s right‑wing nationalism—has unveiled a new economic plan that would dramatically scale back public investment in renewable energy and other low‑carbon initiatives.

The Reform Plan in Brief

Reform UK’s new policy framework, released on Monday in a series of press releases and a detailed policy brief, proposes a “strategic realignment” of the United Kingdom’s energy mix. Key components include:

• Elimination of the UK Green Deal’s subsidy scheme for small‑scale solar and community wind projects.
• Reduction of the 20 % Renewable Energy Obligation (REO) target, from 40 % of the national grid mix by 2030 to 25 %.
• Withdrawal of the 0.5 % Climate Change Levy from the energy sector, effectively rolling back a tax that has been a major source of revenue for climate‑focused programmes.
• Introduction of a “clean‑fuel incentive” that would subsidise low‑carbon fuel production but only for a limited time frame of five years.

Reform’s spokespersons frame these changes as a “balanced approach” that would prevent a “price spiral” for households and keep the UK competitive in the global energy market. The party argues that cutting subsidies would “encourage the industry to innovate and lower costs,” while the temporary clean‑fuel incentive would “ensure the transition does not come at a cost to consumers.”

Miliband’s Counter‑Argument

Miliband’s column, titled “Job‑Killer Climate Rollback,” is a sharp critique of what he sees as a short‑sighted, protectionist policy that undercuts long‑term economic growth. Key points from his argument include:

1. Job Losses Across the Green Supply Chain
   Miliband cites data from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) indicating that renewable‑energy projects employed over 170,000 people in 2024, with employment growth outpacing the fossil‑fuel sector by a margin of 4 % annually. The policy brief notes that the proposed subsidy cuts could reduce the renewable‑sector workforce by up to 25 % over the next decade, translating to roughly 42,000 jobs lost.

2. Economic Momentum of the Net‑Zero Transition
   The former MP points to research by the UK’s Green Growth Institute, which estimated that the country’s green economy could support 400,000 new jobs by 2035 if the net‑zero target is met. Miliband argues that the Reform plan “threatens to reverse two decades of progress” and could jeopardise the UK’s ambitions to be a leader in clean technology.

3. Regional Impact
   Miliband highlights that many of the renewable projects that would be affected are located in rural areas and the North of England, where alternative employment opportunities are limited. He claims that a job loss in these regions would have “a multiplier effect on local economies, increasing unemployment and straining public services.”

4. Comparisons with European Counterparts
   Miliband notes that while some European countries have reduced subsidies in the past, they have simultaneously implemented robust “just‑transition” packages that protect displaced workers. He points out that the European Union’s Green Deal includes a Just Transition Fund that allocates €17 billion to support regions hardest hit by climate policy, an element missing from Reform UK’s proposal.

5. Policy Consistency and Credibility
   Miliband calls Reform’s position “inconsistent with the UK’s own net‑zero commitments” under the Paris Agreement and the upcoming COP26 obligations. He argues that the policy “reintroduces a form of ‘policy fatigue’ that undermines confidence among investors, both domestic and foreign.”

Follow‑Up Sources and Further Context

The Bloomberg article references several additional sources that contextualise Miliband’s critique:

• Reform UK’s policy brief (link provided in the article) outlines the proposed subsidy reductions and clean‑fuel incentives. The brief also cites a study by the Institute of Energy Economics that claims a 10 % drop in renewable subsidies could lead to a 3 % decrease in energy prices over a five‑year horizon. Miliband disputes this, arguing the estimate neglects the “job‑creation multiplier” inherent to the sector.
• BEIS Employment Data 2023‑2024 – the article links to the latest BEIS employment reports, which show a steady rise in renewable‑sector employment, with 55 % of new hires being women, a demographic that would be disproportionately impacted by job cuts.
• Green Growth Institute (GGI) Report – a reference to the GGI’s projections of job growth under a net‑zero scenario.
• European Union’s Just Transition Fund – the article briefly touches on the EU’s approach, noting that the UK’s exit from the EU limits the country’s ability to tap into EU‑funded transitional support.

Political Repercussions

The column has sparked a flurry of reactions across the political spectrum:

• Labour Party – a senior Labour spokesperson welcomed Miliband’s critique, stating that “Labour has always been the party that protects jobs while pursuing climate goals.”
• Conservative Party – the party’s environmental policy chief downplayed the economic risks, arguing that the Reform plan would “reduce the burden on households” and “keep Britain competitive.”
• Reform UK – in a brief statement, the party defended its plan as a “necessary recalibration” to avoid “over‑regulation” that could hamper industrial growth. The statement acknowledged potential job impacts but promised a “comprehensive plan to retrain affected workers,” citing a future policy brief scheduled for later in the year.

Bottom Line

Thomas Miliband’s article serves as a cautionary voice against what he frames as an “anti‑climate, job‑killing” approach. While Reform UK’s plan emphasises short‑term economic relief and competitiveness, Miliband insists that the UK’s net‑zero trajectory is inseparable from the green‑job boom that underpins it. His critique underscores the delicate balance policymakers must strike between environmental ambition and economic realities—and the risks of favouring one over the other.