Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has faced criticism over his focus on Net Zero, after new policy plans were unveiled.
Speaking to GB News, broadcaster Lizzie Cundy said Mr Miliband has “no thought for this country” and called him a “Net Zero disaster”.
Under Labour’s Net Zero strategy, less efficient underfloor heating systems and storage heaters will be banned from sale. From next year, new models of these products, including heated towel rails, will need to meet higher energy efficiency standards.
However, the Government has stressed that existing systems will not be affected, and the rules will only apply to newly produced models.
Reacting to the proposals, Ms Cundy said Labour’s approach, led by Mr Miliband, is “costing us billions”.
She said: “God help us, that’s all I can say. Ed Miliband, I call him a Net Zero disaster. What is this about? Getting rid of heated towel rails? The man is obsessed. This Net Zero drive is costing us billions of taxpayers’ money for his ideology.”
Ms Cundy also compared Mr Miliband to Sir Keir Starmer, accusing them both of being “narrow-minded”.
She added: “He doesn’t listen, he doesn’t care. He’s like Keir Starmer — he doesn’t listen to anyone else. He’s hurting the economy and is hellbent on this Net Zero obsession. He’s going to cover our green land with solar panels and wind farms, which, by the way, will come from China.”
She also questioned the Government’s electric vehicle targets, pointing out that there are currently “1.5 million drivers” with electric cars.
Ms Cundy said: “He’s got this plan for cars and vans to be zero emissions by 2035. Now 19 million people drive petrol cars in this country, 10.4 million have diesel. Only 1.5 million drive electric — so how is this going to work? He hasn’t thought it through.”
She also argued that electric cars would require major infrastructure changes due to battery weight, adding: “He doesn’t care. He’s got no thought for this country.”
Defending the plans, commentator Stella Tsantekidou said Mr Miliband is “not trying to ban anything”.
She said: “Ed Miliband is a minister who knows how to work within government and get things done. He’s not banning these things — he’s targeting the ones that don’t meet efficiency standards.”
When challenged on how “insufficient” would be defined, she responded that manufacturers already have ways to measure efficiency.
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: “Our reforms will save households money by improving the energy efficiency of underfloor heating, towel rails and storage heaters.”
