Lower gas and electricity bills, good jobs and secure energy supply will all be delivered by Labour’s plan to take back control of our energy. Oldham, and the UK, will have cheaper clean power by 2030, supported by GB Energy, a publicly owned energy company focused on investing in the homegrown power we need to give Britain energy security and Oldham families cheaper bills.

Labour has announced ambitious plans to set up GB Energy to bring together local councils, communities and the private sector to create and deliver Local Power Plans – with cost of living discounts or help with energy bills for people supporting clean energy projects such as solar panels on community buildings and estates. Labour will also support community projects – like Saddleworth Hydro – which deliver local clean energy,

Labour Leader Keir Starmer said “Labour will seize the power of Britain’s sun, wind and water to put clean power in the grid and profits in the pockets of the British people.”

Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of the Council, commented “This is good news for Oldham. Oldham projects like Saddleworth Hydro and Oldham Community Power are already delivering clean energy and are well placed to expand and help more of our residents with cheaper energy bills.

“And Oldham Council’s Green New Deal Strategy was the first in the UK and is already delivering Northern Roots, the biggest urban farm in the UK and the Eco Centre being built at Alexandra Park.

“We’ll be building a solar farm at Wrigley Head and getting on with a feasibility study for a Mine Water Heat Network which will use warm floodwater in disused mines to generate heat for buildings throughout the town centre.

“These projects will form the backbone of Oldham’s Local Power Plan and we will be ready to make the most of this bringing down bills and creating jobs in Oldham.’

Labour’s Warm Homes Plan will upgrade the many homes that need good insulation and other energy saving measures, cutting bills and creating thousands of good jobs for electricians, engineers, and construction workers across the country.

Councillor Shah added “There’s no point bringing down energy costs if heat just escapes through gaps in windows and doors or through the roof of your home. Warm Homes Oldham has already done a really good job helping families with insulation and other energy saving measures but we could do so much more if the Government provided long term funding.

“The Green Homes Grant Scheme was an expensive flop – only 7% of the 600,000 households targeted were actually helped. Labour will make sure there are tradespeople with the skills to deliver, creating good jobs in Oldham and across the UK.”

ENDS