It’s refreshing to hear Rachel Reeves say growth must trump Net Zero
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RACHEL Reeves’ determination to build is music to our ears. We just hope she and Keir Starmer are steeled for the civil war they may trigger in their own party. It is refreshing to hear the Chancellor insist growth must trump Net Zero and talk about facing down the blockers.
![[Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves at a meeting in Downing Street.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/britains-prime-minister-keir-starmer-965819981.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
We need bigger airports, far more homes, businesses, power plants, reservoirs and much more. “The answer can’t always be no,” Ms Reeves says. “For a long time when there was a choice between something that would grow the economy and anything else, anything else always won.
![[Rachel Reeves, British Chancellor of the Exchequer, leaving 10 Downing Street.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/epa11841827-british-chancellor-exchequer-rachel-965522038.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“Growth trumps other things.”. The PM intends to limit Nimbys’ powers to scupper development. Excellent. Except London Mayor Sadiq Khan is already preparing to legally challenge his own Government over Heathrow. So is Labour’s Manchester Mayor. We doubt Net Zero zealot Ed Miliband will cheerlead for the builders either.
![[Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, leaving 10 Downing Street.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/secretary-state-business-trade-president-963691051.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But last month’s staggering £17.8billion borrowing — far above OBR forecasts and the result of Labour pouring money into welfare and the public sector — shows how desperately much stronger growth is now needed. Without it Ms Reeves faces imposing urgent spending cuts and — God forbid — more tax rises.
![[Mugshot of Axel Rudakubana.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/axel-rudakubana-appears-undated-mugshot-965264285_1fc2ec.jpg?strip=all&w=720)
Both are predicted to send the economy into a “doom loop” making Britain relentlessly poorer. Too many self-interested Labour MPs still prefer blocking to building. The Chancellor must impress on them how urgently Britain needs extracting from our paralysis.
