The Labour Party has promised to create a fairer, more sustainable energy system which it says will boost the UK economy.

It has committed to invest in green infrastructure and technology across each region and put energy back into public ownership to ensure affordability and democratic control, as well as change public sector procurement rules to promote gender equality, better environmental standards and unionisation.

Labour says the Conservative government has “undermined Britain’s energy industry at every turn” by rejecting plans for the Swansea Tidal Lagoon project, scrapping the Zero Carbon Homes policy and a £1 billion flagship programme on carbon capture and storage, abolishing the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and offering no clarity on renewables funding before 2025.

It claims the current government has been responsible for the number of new small-scale solar installations falling by 86%, clean energy investment in the UK falling by 56% in 2017 and low carbon employment being reduced by around 30,000 jobs between 2014 and 2016.

Rebecca Long Bailey MP, Labour’s Business Secretary, said: “The Tories have not given our energy industry the support it needs. Our expensive and polluting energy system is reaching its sell by date, with investment falling and millions in contracts going overseas.

“Labour will build an energy system that actually delivers for businesses, workers and our environment, creating secure and high-skilled jobs, while at the same time ensuring that 60% of our energy comes from zero-carbon or renewable sources by 2030.”

Responding, Brandon Lewis MP, Chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “Labour’s plans to renationalise the energy network would cost tens of billions of pounds, which would be funded by hardworking taxpayers.

“Not only would their policies lead to less choice and poorer services, there would also be nowhere to turn when things go wrong.”