Ed Miliband comments on Cumbria County Council’s decision to reconsider the West Cumbria coal mine

"We welcome the Council's decision to take this application back to the planning committee. The Government now has a second chance to do the right thing and call it in. The UK cannot claim to be a climate leader whilst opening a new coal mine and Ministers must realise that by doing so they undermine our credibility both at home and abroad.

"A new mine is neither the answer for climate change nor the answer for our steel industry. Indeed, 85% of the mine's production is due for export.

"Labour is determined to safeguard the UK's primary steelmaking capacity and provide the industry with a secure long-term future through the kind of financial support that other countries are offering, including helping steel make a fair transition to a green future which safeguards jobs.

"People in Cumbria deserve good, secure jobs and there are so many crying out to be done in the green industries of the future. That's why Labour has called for a £30bn green recovery plan to protect and create jobs in communities across the country."