Ed Miliband comments on the short-term deal to restart CO2 production

"We welcome that this short-term deal has been struck, but the Government must urgently engage with unions and the wider manufacturing industry, and explain the contingency plans in place in case issues are not resolved in three weeks.

"Crucially, the Government cannot keep blaming surging gas prices and supply chain chaos on external forces. It is a decade of Conservative missteps that has left the UK so exposed and vulnerable, without the diverse, resilient energy system we need to protect us from global volatility. It is businesses, consumers and families that are now paying the price.

"A Conservative cost of living crisis is brewing, with rising energy prices and food costs looming under the shadow of a cut to Universal Credit and tax rises on working families. This Government says it is on the side of working people and businesses, yet their failures are causing huge industrial disruption and they are doubling down on decisions that will plunge half a million more households into fuel poverty. It's completely indefensible."