Net-Zero isn’t impossible, It’s the opportunity of our time

We’ve heard a lot this week from the Conservative Party and others that achieving our net-zero targets is “impossible”. I couldn’t disagree more. Decarbonising our economy is certainly a challenge, but it’s also the opportunity of our time and a chance to create new well-paid jobs, lower bills for good and drive growth and investment – both in Sussex and across Britain.

Last year the net-zero economy grew three times faster than the economy as a whole, adding £83 billion and attracting record investment. Net-zero already supports nearly a million jobs across the country and 22,000 small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). Better still, these are more typically more productive and higher paid jobs than the national average and often include high-skilled apprenticeships and great opportunities for young people.
These are precisely the kind of jobs I’d like to see more of in my constituency – and why I’ll be making the case for more net-zero jobs and investment in Sussex. The potential here – with our coastline and natural resources, our skills and knowledge base, our clusters of SMEs and record of creativity and innovation – is enormous, particularly as the Government drives toward its mission of clean power by 2030 and our wider net-zero targets by 2050.
The other great opportunity of net-zero is the chance to end our dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets. We’ve all seen in recent years how dangerous this over-reliance on imported gas and energy can be – with our bills soaring and many households and businesses suffering. The best – in fact only – way to address this is to intensify the switch to renewables and to make sure our economy and our bills are no longer vulnerable to the whims of dictators like Putin. Giving up on net-zero and turning back to fossil fuels would be incredibly short-sighted and completely the wrong response.

So, while I don’t think opponents of the drive to net-zero are climate deniers, I do think they’re climate defeatists. And that alone would cost jobs, growth and waste the opportunity of our time.

Supporting LGBT+ Veterans
This week, I had the privilege of welcoming the Minister for Veterans, Al Carns MP, to Saltdean Lido to meet with local LGBT+ veterans. This was organised alongside Fighting with Pride, an incredible charity that has been leading the charge in securing justice and recognition for veterans who were unfairly discharged from the armed forces due to their sexuality.

I’ve been proud to work closely with Fighting with Pride to raise awareness of the injustices faced by LGBT+ veterans and to take the call to Parliament for meaningful change, recognition and financial redress. It was inspiring and deeply moving to hear firsthand from those – including many in my constituency – who served our country with such courage and dedication, only to be treated so unjustly.

The event was not only an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made, but also a chance to discuss with the Veterans’ Minister the work that still needs to be done. There have been huge steps forward in recent years – in no small part because of the tenacity and courage of LGBT+ Veterans and Fighting with Pride – and I’m delighted that the new Government has increased funding and finally put in place a redress scheme.

I’m incredibly grateful to Fighting with Pride, Minister Al Carns and the fantastic team at Saltdean Lido for making this event possible. I remain committed to ensuring that every veteran receives the respect, support and justice they deserve.

Tackling Hate and Vandalism in Our Community
Over the past week, I’ve been deeply concerned by two incidents of vandalism in my constituency that have caused anger and concern among residents.

The first was the appearance of Nazi graffiti at a bus stop on Linchmere Avenue in Saltdean. This hateful act was not just an attack on public property, but an attack on our values. Our community has long been a place of diversity, inclusivity and respect – and there is no place for hate in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven or across Sussex. I’ve been in contact with local councillors and Sussex Police to ensure this graffiti was removed swiftly and to press for a robust response to any future incidents. I encourage residents to remain vigilant and report any further occurrences of hate-related vandalism. I want to say a special thanks to Cllr Mark Earthey and Saltdean residents who swiftly set about cleaning up the graffiti and supporting the local community.

In another upsetting incident, Queens Park’s play area— part of a £3 million investment in Brighton and Hove’s playgrounds — was extensively damaged by an appalling act of arson. This senseless destruction of a space designed for children is truly heartbreaking. The Council has acted quickly to make the area safe and is now working to replace the damaged equipment, with repairs expected to cost between £25,000 and £30,000. I’ve been in touch with the Council and Sussex Police to monitor progress and support efforts to hold those responsible accountable.
These incidents remind us how important it is to protect our community spaces and uphold the values that make Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven such a welcoming place. I’ll continue working with local authorities, councillors and community groups to ensure that everyone feels safe and respected in our community.