Reform UK now controls three major councils in the East of England and has moved quickly to cut or review spending on net zero initiatives. Essex County Council scrapped its net zero strategy in its first week. Norfolk and Suffolk councils are reviewing all green spending and have dropped the climate emergency declarations made by previous Conservative administrations. Reform argues these projects waste money during tight budgets, but opponents say cutting them risks losing government grants and hurting local jobs tied to green investment. The practical impact is still unclear. Some projects like solar panels on council buildings and heat pump replacements may continue under rebranded names such as "sustainability" or "energy efficiency." A London School of Economics study found Reform-run councils still accept green grants like the Warm Homes Scheme. The Climate Change Committee says net zero is more cost effective for the economy than relying on fossil fuels. The final decisions will come after audits, and the councils may keep many projects that save money or create jobs, even without the net zero label.
