Labour would invest in South West - former leader

Ed Miliband said if Labour got into government in July they would cut people's energy bills

Former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband said his party would "definitely" commit to investing in the South West through renewable energy.

The shadow secretary of state of climate change and net zero made the comments during a recent visit to Kensa Heat Pumps in Truro, Cornwall.

He said: "The Conservatives have not had the industrial strategy to ensure we get the good jobs in places like Cornwall so local people can profit from renewable energy."

Discussing the proposed South West offshore wind farm, Cherilyn Mackrory, Conservative candidate for Truro and Falmouth, said she wanted Cornish children "at the forefront of this revolution".

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She added: "I want them to have the ambitions for the quality careers of the future in all of these industries."

It comes after Mr Miliband said: "What Labour wants to do is cut people's energy bills and that is what we are going to do with Great British Energy, our new publicly owned energy company."

He continued: "By going for clean energy we can lower people's bills, create good jobs at companies like Kensa and create a profit for Britain.

"Falmouth has got a real part to play, I know there are real issues that Falmouth has not been invested in."

Gideon Amos OBE, Liberal Democrat candidate for Taunton and Wellington, said his party had the "most ambitious plans for renewable energy".

"We want 90% of electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030 and we would invest heavily in the grid.

"We would also ensure local people get benefits from local renewable energy projects."

A Green Party spokesperson said it would like to see wind power provide 70% of the UK's energy by 2030.

A Reform UK spokesperson said the party would "unlock Britain's vast energy treasure of oil and gas to slash energy bills and fast-track nuclear energy".