British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to travel to COP31 in Turkey, but multiple outlets report he is facing questions about whether climate change is being prioritised over domestic cost-of-living pressures.
Several reports focus on alleged shifts in UK policy ahead of the summit, particularly around electric-vehicle (EV) targets. The Guardian notes plans to reduce EV targets (from 80% to 60%, according to its reporting) and links this to possible reactions from the car industry. Related Guardian pieces also frame the issue as a broader pattern, with claims that Burnham’s government is meeting climate targets in rhetoric while other priorities appear to come first in practice.
Other coverage emphasises political tension around oil and gas decisions. HuffPost UK cites reports that Burnham’s deputy, Louise Haigh, is expected to announce changes to EV targets and also references Labour permitting new drilling at the Jackdaw gas field. It adds that a decision on Rosebank oilfield drilling is expected before the end of the year. The Conversation frames the same uncertainty more broadly, saying Burnham has still not been clear where climate sits on his agenda despite attending COP-related events.
