Corbyn adds experience to new bumper shadow Decc

New Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has added considerable experience to a new look, and bumper, shadow Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc).

Energy and climate change committee (ECCC) member Alan Whitehead has been named as one of a six strong ministerial team for shadow Decc, which is up from four and compares to the government’s ministerial team of only three.

Former shadow water minister Barry Gardiner, who was only appointed to that role in June, has been named as a shadow Decc minister.

Gardiner has previously served on the ECCC, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee, and has been a parliamentary under-secretary in Defra between 2006 and 2007.

The experienced duo are joined by Norwich South MP Clive Lewis, who was elected in May this year.

Baroness Worthington keeps her role in the shadow Decc team, but she will be joined by Lord Grantchester, who will split his time between the shadow Decc and Defra departments.

The new team will provide experienced support to new shadow energy secretary Lisa Nandy, who has no prior energy experience other than joining up to ‘End the Big Six Energy Fix’ campaign in May 2012.

The shadow Defra team has been completely revamped following the departure of Gardiner and the promotion of former shadow energy secretary Maria Eagle, who has been replaced by Kerry McCarthy.

Her new Commons team is made up of Nick Smith and Alex Cunningham, while Lord Grantchester will be joined by Baroness Jones in the House of Lords.

The two teams will play an important role in pushing forward the green agenda that formed a key at of Corbyn’s leadership campaign. This includes his proposals to scrap the capacity market, to oppose new nuclear and fracking, and to support community energy schemes.