Britain will ban new coal mines in a landmark decision that forms part of Ed Miliband’s drive to hit net zero. The Government said it was bringing forward a decision to restrict new licences, ending an era of coal-fired power generation that at its peak supported more than 1m jobs.

The UK announced Thursday that it will introduce legislation to ban new coal mines, as the Labour government ramps up its plans to make Britain a clean energy leader.

The UK will become one of the first countries in the world to ban new coal mines as the government announces restrictions to licences.