ED Miliband’s green agenda is putting British jobs on the line and hammering home-grown manufacturing, a Labour MP warned today.
Steve Yemm called on the Energy Secretary to rethink his strategy on tackling emissions, insisting current rules are inflicting “economic self-harm”.
Mr Yemm’s criticism of Net Zero is among the boldest yet from a Labour backbencher.
Writing on The Sun website, the Mansfield MP hit out at the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which demands that 80 per cent of car sales are electric by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2035.
Firms that fall short could be slapped with £12,000 fines per non-compliant car.
Mr Yemm argued that the Net Zero regime is especially damaging for his constituents, many of whom work at Toyota’s Derbyshire plant.
The MP said: “The UK is responsible for just one per cent of global emissions and if we push too hard, too fast, without a proper plan, we risk economic self-harm.
“The Zero Emission Vehicle mandate imposed by Government, which requires carmakers to sell a rising share of electric vehicles each year or face large fines, is part of the problem.
“Unions, local businesses and those in the supply chain are raising alarm bells.” Mr Yemm added: “If companies are forced to cut production or delay investment, jobs will go.
“Not just in factories, but in firms supplying parts, services and logistics.”
The Labour MP, from a mining family, said watching his father endure the abrupt closure of coal mines means he knows what’s at stake if voters are pushed too far by green diktats.
Mr Yemm said: “I saw first-hand what happened when coal was shut down overnight with no real plan to support our town.
“We’re still living with the consequences today.
