Reform UK’s Zero, Net Zero Policy, a viewpoint

Reform UK rails against net zero, but the evidence shows green jobs and growth are already powering the UK economy

by Brian McHugh

As the impact of the climate crisis is felt around the world, as well as here in the relatively sheltered environs of the UK, the political drive to engage with reducing emissions has never been more important. But those who shout the loudest, and the parties given the most airtime by mainstream news, rarely have their views challenged and questioned. Instead, parties like Reform UK act on the principle that if a statement is repeated often enough, then the UK public will eventually adopt the same stance.

The Reform UK 2024 election manifesto exhibited a tendency to narrowly skew issues, often ignoring complexities and appearing light on detail in many areas, especially on that of energy needs and the environment. Their policy approach to net zero barely took up half a page in a short 28-page document, despite “net stupid zero” being a regular bête noire for deputy leader Richard Tice.

As reported in The Guardian, Tice, in his business dealings has actually tacitly supported net zero policies – and companies led by him have environmental responsibilities at their core: “ … companies led by Tice since 2011 boasted of their commitments to saving energy, cutting CO2 emissions and environmental responsibility.” It seems his actions do not wholly match his rhetoric. But what of that manifesto rhetoric? Does it stand up to scrutiny and the complex realities of a 21st century economy?

Economic reality undermines Reform’s net zero narrative

Reform UK claim that economic growth can be finally “unleashed” by scrapping the legally binding commitment of net zero, however the evidence does not substantiate this claim. Their manifesto states “Reform UK will scrap Net Zero to cut bills and restore growth”. Economic growth in the UK is already in train with the net zero policies enacted by the current government. The UK government recently promised to create 400,000 jobs in the clean energy sector by 2030. Additionally, a new report from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) outlines that “Net zero has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of sustainable growth”, and argues that it is key to UK growth: “the UK net zero economy has grown by 10.1% since 2023”. The sector has generated £83.1bn in gross value added (GVA) over the last year.

Employment within the net zero sector has grown by 10.2% over the past year. Net zero businesses currently support the equivalent of 951,000 full-time jobs, which are typically better paid than the UK average. These jobs aren’t just green – they’re highly valuable for the economy. Each full-time role contributes £105,500 in economic value, well above the national average, and every £1 created in the sector generates almost twice as much again for the UK economy as a whole.

Louise Hellem, the chief economist for the CBI, has recently praised the possibilities and the potential of the emerging net zero energy and technology markets, stating:

“The net zero economy continues to demonstrate that there are huge emerging markets for green technologies that the UK must capitalise on. It is clear, you can’t have growth without green.”

In the wider economy, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) also recently reported that the UK has seen growth in 2025. The “UK gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by 0.3% in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2025, following an increase of 0.7% in Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2025.”

The report also continued, “GDP is estimated to have increased by 1.2% in Quarter 2 2025, compared with the same quarter a year ago”. Further economic modelling suggests that Reform UK’s anti-environment policies could wipe billions from future GDP and instead halt growth. With new large scale renewable generation and investment becoming unviable under Reform UK’s policies – owing to proposals to cut all renewable subsidies and a windfall tax being introduced on wind and solar, GVA effects of a lack of renewables investment will effectively deprive the economy of this boost.

Regional contradictions: green jobs meet Reform rhetoric

Reform UK has a mayoral representative in Yorkshire, Luke Campbell for Hull and East Yorkshire. Campbell was asked how Reform’s energy and environmental policies, with a focus on net zero, could impact areas within Yorkshire, especially Hull and East Yorkshire. His office responded by saying, “Our communications must focus solely on the work and statutory responsibilities of the Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority itself”.

In the past month however, Campbell echoed Reform’s manifesto claims, saying he believes pursuing net zero targets “will not deliver lower energy bills or economic prosperity”, despite also signalling support for regional renewable energy in a letter to local MPs. In response to calls to maintain existing commitments to green growth Campbell said that he is focusing on “backing the industries we already know deliver for Hull and East Yorkshire – offshore wind, hydrogen, and the supply chain that supports them”.

Could this be a case of confusion, or party rhetoric running into reality? The Reform UK manifesto pledged to scrap annual renewable energy subsidies, leaving places like Hull and East Yorkshire in a difficult position when it comes to how these local growth industries might be backed.

Renewables versus rhetoric: the cost debate exposed

Reform UK claim, “Renewables are not cheaper. Our bills have increased dramatically in line with the huge increase in renewables capacity over the last 15 years.” The use of the word ‘cheaper’ is a useful strategy from the party, as a comparative is needed to clarify its meaning. There are no referenced footnotes to evidence this statement, nor a detailed analysis on how this figure has been reached or how other volatile geopolitical factors have influenced energy prices.

The example of onshore wind effectively challenges the narrative that renewables increase costs. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero states that the “costs of onshore wind in the UK have fallen dramatically – it is now around 50% cheaper than in 2015 and is the one of the cheapest forms of electricity generation in the UK today on a levelised cost basis.” Industry insiders also suggest that comparing average fossil fuel costs per megawatt hour in a side-by-side comparison with renewable forms of energy indicate that renewables are cheaper than average fossil fuel costs, with solar power and wind power costing £30/Mwh and £16/Mwh respectively against coal at £83/Mwh and natural gas at £122/Mwh.

The National grid itself commented that, “solar and wind energy are now the most affordable sources of new electricity in 82% of the world.” They contradicted Reform UK’s suggestion that the cost of energy bills was linked to renewables, saying “The main cause of the recent hikes in energy bills is the volatility of the commodity cost of gas, caused by the conflict in Ukraine. Having more renewables connected to the UK energy system will help overcome the price spikes we have seen recently, ensuring bills are more affordable in the long-term”.

Betting on decline: Reform’s fixation with fossil fuels

The manifesto claims from Reform UK are also brought into sharp relief with the recent news of the North Sea oil and gas company Petrofac going into administration. Reform UK propose to “Start fast-track licences of North Sea gas and oil”, but North Sea oil is already in a steep decline, with the production of gas having fallen two thirds since 2000. Any new licences would still result in a 95% fall by 2050. Investing in a dying industry makes no financial sense, especially when cheaper renewables are increasing at an incredible rate.