Burnham hails approval for two huge windfarm projects as ‘power under British control’ – UK politics live

Key events2m agoEd Miliband says national security of all countries at risk from climate crisis24m agoBurnham hails approval for two huge windfarm projects as ‘power under British control’Ed Miliband says national security of all countries at risk from climate crisisThe national security of all countries is at risk from the climate crisis, as “science fiction” scenarios of widespread destruction are already coming true and economic shocks from fossil fuels are now the norm rather than the exception, Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary, will warn at the Cop31 summit today. Fiona Harvey has the story.The CBI has issued a statement welcoming the PM’s offshore wind announcement. (See 8.55am.) This is from its chief executive, Rain Newton-Smith. double quotation markThe prime minister’s announcement of major investment in offshore wind is a powerful restatement of the UK’s clean energy ambitions and the economic opportunities they can unlock. Investment on this scale can attract further private capital, create skilled jobs and support growth in communities across the country. Burnham hails approval for two huge windfarm projects as ‘power under British control’Good morning. Andy Burnham has got PMQs today, and after that he will leave for what looks like a rather hectic Turkey/Ireland trip which tomorrow will see him address the Cop31 climate summit in the morning, before attending his first major summit with EU leaders (and some other European leaders – it’s a European Political Community event) in Dublin later in the day.Of the two events, the EPC is probably the more important for Burnham because it will give him the chance to clear the air ahead of the UK-EU summit next week, and because Burnham has made renegotiating the relationship with the EU a key aim of his premiership.But Cop31 is important too because Burnham wants to show that he remains committed to the net zero climate agenda but that he is also “pragmatic” about pursuing this in a way that helps with cost of living pressures. This morning he has an announcement that will help in this respect; Downing Street has announced the next stage in two huge offshore wind projects.One relates to the Vanguard East and Vanguard West projects. No 10 says: double quotation markEnergy company RWE, together with global investment firm KKR, have announced a total investment of £12bn, believed to be the biggest of its kind in UK history to date. It will give the green light to its Vanguard West and Vanguard East offshore wind farms, set to be operational by 2030 and delivering clean, secure, homegrown power to homes and businesses that will protect families from global fossil fuel price shocks … On top of bolstering the UK’s green energy future, the investment will support more than 2,400 jobs during construction and operation, and once operational, the wind farms will have the capacity to supply the equivalent of around three million UK homes … The decision marks a major milestone for the project, with the developers now making their final investment commitment to deliver the projects. Onshore works are already well advanced, with construction offshore set to begin in early 2027. The other relates to Berwick Bank B. No 10 says: double quotation markOn top of this, Scottish-headquartered SSE has announced that the latest phase of its major offshore wind farm, Berwick Bank B, will back 2,677 skilled jobs in manufacturing, engineering and project delivery across the north of England and Scotland, with the company contracting Siemens Energy for the manufacturing of wind turbines and substation platforms. This includes the creation of 130 new project delivery roles in Glasgow and Montrose. At its full capacity, Berwick Bank, off the east coast of Scotland, could become the world’s largest offshore wind farm, capable of meeting more than 6% of current UK electricity demand. Welcoming these announcements, Burnham said: double quotation markThis major investment in UK renewables is a vote of confidence for building in Britain. And it is great news for billpayers because every turbine we put up is power under British control, not at the mercy of events on the other side of the world. Ajit Niranjan has a separate live blog covering Cop31.Here is the agenda for the day.10am: Angela Rayner, the housing secretary, gives evidence to the Commons housing committee.10.50am: Lucy Powell, the education secretary, gives a speech to the Association of Colleges annual conference in Birmingham.11am: Louise Casey gives a speech at the National Children and Adult Services conference in Liverpool.Noon: Andy Burnham faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs.Noon: Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff, gives evidence to the Lords constitution committee about constitutional safeguards.1pm: Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, gives a speech to the annual airlines’ conference in London.2.15pm: John Healey, the chancellor, gives evidence to the Commons Treasury committee about the budget.Afternoon: Burnham leaves London to fly to the Cop31 climate conference in Turkey.I’m afraid we are no longer able to have comments open below the line every day on this blog. 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