Author: Anupama Sen, Head of Policy Engagement, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford and Fellow in Environmental Change, Reuben College, University of Oxford, University of Oxford

Labour’s first budget in 15 years included a highly anticipated change to the so-called fiscal rules which constrain how much the government can borrow or spend. By relaxing the rules, chancellor Rachel Reeves has opened the door for additional capital spending, much of which has been earmarked for low-carbon investment. While there has been immense scrutiny of the budget’s £40 billion in tax increases, more relevant for net zero is around £100 billion of additional public investment over five years. From a climate perspective, it is disappointing that even a revenue-starved chancellor did not have the courage to increase fuel…