Miatta Fahnbulleh's appointment as Energy Secretary has sparked concerns among London drivers, who fear her past proposals could revolutionise urban transport policy with far-reaching consequences. The recently appointed cabinet member had a career at left-leaning think tanks before entering Parliament in 2024, where she authored and chaired reports suggesting significant changes to the capital's roads.
Her tenure as Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation saw her chair the 'Croydon Climate Crisis Commission', which recommended measures including Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in every ward and reduced parking spaces. Critics have argued that these policies could hike journey times and costs for residents, particularly those with disabilities.
Fahnbulleh's earlier work also proposed a broader overhaul of transport charges, extending the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) beyond the M25 motorway and introducing distance-based road pricing across all of London. A stated goal was to reduce car ownership, which could disproportionately affect lower-income households.
Her policy interests extend beyond transport; in 2021, she criticised tax cuts for domestic flights and advocated a 'frequent flyer levy' aimed at tracking individual flight frequency and raising travel costs for regular flyers. This has raised questions about economic impact and privacy implications for UK citizens.
The Energy Secretary's past support for climate activist groups like Extinction Rebellion and the school climate strike movement underscores her strong environmental stance. As the government tackles energy security and cost of living concerns, Fahnbulleh's policy positions will be closely scrutinised for their potential effects on household budgets and national infrastructure.