Ed Miliband, Labour's Shadow Climate and Net Zero secretary yesterday (June 10) reaffirmed Labour's pledge to cut energy bills for small businesses in Hitchin, and to tackle climate change with Labour's new publicly owned energy company, GB Energy. 

The former Labour leader joined Labour's candidate for the new Hitchin constituency, Alistair Strathen, on a visit to local businesses in Hitchin town centre. 

Labour will set up Great British Energy, a publicly-owned clean power company, to cut bills for good and boost energy security, paid for by a proper, time-limited windfall tax on oil and gas giants. 

Labour hopes that this new policy will help businesses in Hitchin and the towns and villages by bringing down energy costs - which have more than doubled from they were at the start of 2021.

Ed Miliband and local Labour candidate Alistair Strathern visited local businesses in Hitchin yesterday (image supplied)

Alistair Strathern, Labour's candidate for the new Hitchin constituency, said: "It was fantastic to welcome Ed Miliband to Hitchin, to talk about what Labour will do to cut energy bills for small businesses.

"Under the last fourteen years, small businesses in our towns and villages have suffered from the impact of rising energy bills and economic instability. Rising costs have threatened their ability to stay afloat. 

"Businesses here in Hitchin, and across our towns and villages, are crying out for change. That's why if I am lucky enough to be re-elected here, I will work to drive down energy prices, stamp out late payments and reform our business rates so our high streets can thrive again."

Ed Miliband, Labour's Shadow Energy and Net Zero Secretary said: "Britain's small businesses have been hit hard by rising energy prices because the Tories have left us exposed to energy markets controlled by dictators like Putin.

"It's time for change. That's why Labour will set up GB Energy, a new publicly owned clean power company that will help make Britain energy secure. Our 2030 plan will cut bills for small businesses in places like Hitchin for good, and boost energy security.

"This is the most important climate election in our history and we face a massive choice: a Conservative government that is climate delaying and flirting with climate denial, or we have the Labour Party with a big, bold, world-leading agenda to tackle the climate crisis."

Other candidates standing in Hitchin are: Bim Afolami (Conservatives), Charles Bunker (Reform), Sid Cordle (Christian Peoples Alliance), Will Lavin (Green Party), Chris Lucas (Liberal Democrats).