Fahnbulleh’s Fantasy: Green Levies Don’t Raise Bills, Says Energy Secretary

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has made the extraordinary claim that green levies do not contribute to rising household energy bills, dismissing the idea as “misinformation” during an appearance on the Today programme. This assertion directly contradicts widespread concerns about the cost implications of Net Zero policies.

A Convenient Truth?

In a statement that will raise eyebrows across the country, Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has declared that the green levies embedded in energy bills are not, in fact, responsible for increasing costs for the average British household. Speaking on the Today programme, Fahnbulleh was directly challenged on whether Labour’s Net Zero agenda was driving up prices. Her response was unequivocal: “Well look, I don’t accept that. And this is a really important point to make.”

This position is a bold one, flying in the face of many who point to environmental taxes and charges as a significant component of energy bills. Fahnbulleh instead pivoted, blaming a “decade and a half” of underinvestment in the UK’s energy infrastructure for the current cost crisis.

The “Misinformation” Narrative

Fahnbulleh suggested that the public debate is clouded by “misinformation,” calling for a “sensible conversation.” However, many will question how sensible a conversation can be when a key government minister appears to deny a direct link between policy-driven costs and consumer prices. The Energy Secretary’s background as the former chief executive of the New Economics Foundation, a think tank known for its “radical economic thinking” through a climate lens, provides some context for her perspective.

Her appointment in July 2026, succeeding Ed Miliband, placed her at the helm of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero at a critical juncture for UK energy policy. Despite her focus on affordability, as noted by industry bodies like RenewableUK, her dismissal of green levies’ impact on bills will likely be met with skepticism.

Costs and Commitments

The government’s commitment to Net Zero is unwavering, with Fahnbulleh also confirming that Labour’s manifesto explicitly rules out new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea. This decision, while lauded by environmental groups, has drawn criticism from industry bodies like Offshore Energies UK (OEUK), who argue it could increase reliance on imports and jeopardise energy security.

“Well look, I don’t accept that. And this is a really important point to make. The challenge that we have as a government coming in is that investment in our infrastructure – irrespective, by the way, of whether we are on the pathway to Net Zero or not – was not put in for a decade and a half… I think there is a lot of misinformation in this debate.”

— Miatta Fahnbulleh, Energy Secretary, Today programme

The tension between climate action, energy security, and affordability is a tightrope walk for any government. Fahnbulleh’s remarks suggest a narrative focused on historical underinvestment rather than the direct costs of current policy choices.

• Miatta Fahnbulleh denies green levies raise energy bills.
• She attributes high costs to 15 years of infrastructure underinvestment.
• Fahnbulleh calls for a “sensible conversation” on energy costs.
• She confirmed no new North Sea oil and gas licenses.
• Appointed Energy Secretary in July 2026, replacing Ed Miliband.
• Previously led the New Economics Foundation think tank.

The Energy Secretary’s refusal to acknowledge the role of green levies in household bills will do little to quell public anxiety over the cost of living. Instead, it frames the debate as one of historical neglect, conveniently sidestepping the immediate financial burden of the government’s own environmental agenda.

Source: Guido Fawkes | Breaking Brexit News