Coal mine sends ‘mixed message’ on UK climate plans, minister admits

Mining coal in UK makes more sense than importing from abroad, says Kwasi Kwarteng

A senior government minister has admitted that the UK is sending out a “mixed message” by giving the go-ahead to a new coal mine at the same time it is asking other countries to commit to reductions in carbon emissions.

Ministers have faced criticism for not “calling in” the decision to green-light the scheme in Whitehaven, Cumbria, which is now being reviewed by the local county council.

The move came months ahead of November’s United Nations COP26 summit in Glasgow, at which countries will be asked to improve on carbon reduction promises made in the Paris Agreement of 2015.

Speaking to the Institute for Government think tank, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng admitted the arguments were “finely balanced”, but said that producing coking coal in Cumbria could actually cut overall emissions by removing the need for the UK steel industry to transport imported fuel from distant countries.

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Mr Kwarteng said: “I think it was a difficult issue. I fully understand that it's a slightly mixed message to some people. 

“But at the same time we are committed to the steel industry.

“The view was that it was a local decision, so it was the local council that decided to give the go-ahead to the coal mine.

“The secretary of state didn't overrule them in the interests of local power, local devolution.”

He said that opening a new mine in Britain “made more sense” than importing coal from abroad.

“I think it was a finely-balanced argument in terms of the fact that if you don't produce coking coal and you have blast furnace steel, which we have, they are going to end up importing the coking coal anyway,” said Mr Kwarteng.

“In terms of the global reduction of emissions it doesn't actually make an effect, it actually increases it because you're essentially shutting down a domestic source of coking coal and importing it from halfway round the world.”

Asked whether Boris Johnson accepted that mixed signals had been sent, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The Cumbria coal mine is a planning application, which is a matter for Cumbria County Council. It is right that they take the decision on it.”

The spokesman said that Mr Johnson had made his commitment to addressing climate change clear on numerous occasions, adding: “I would point to the Environment Bill and the recent conversation he had with President Biden, where the prime minister discussed climate change, as well as the 10-point plan we have set out on this issue.

“The prime minister is fully committed to addressing climate change.”

Plans for the UK’s first deep coal mine in 30 years were initially approved by Cumbria councillors in 2019 and environmentalists have said that local government secretary Robert Jenrick’s decision not to call the decision in “drove a coach and horses” through the government’s climate position.