Reform UK now controls three major councils in the East of England: Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Each has promised to cut spending on climate initiatives, scrapping net zero strategies and reviewing green projects. The councils argue these cuts save money under budget pressure, but critics warn they could be a false economy, risking lost jobs and higher energy bills. The cuts target solar panels, heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers, and cycle lanes. However, some projects may continue under rebranded names like sustainability or energy efficiency, since they still receive government grants. The Climate Change Committee says net zero is more cost-effective than relying on fossil fuels, and local green projects have been injecting wealth into deprived areas. The real impact may be less about immediate spending and more about changing the conversation. If councils stop promoting climate action, public adoption of energy-saving measures could slow. The full effect will depend on what the councils decide after their audits, but the political signal is clear and could influence other local authorities.
