Government 'moving away from sticking plaster solutions' on energy, says minister The government has responded to criticism of its energy strategy by former Labour leader Sir Tony Blair. In it, Blair wrote that the net-zero project is "doomed to fail" and called current thinking on transitioning away from fossil fuels "unrealistic". Steve Reed, the environment secretary, told Sky News' Wilfred Frost a little earlier that people "need to also stop thinking just in terms of the short term electoral cycle and plan for the future of our country". He said: "We're moving away from sticking plaster solutions towards doing what's right for the future of the economy, and for the future of households. "Taking back control of our own energy supply is part of that, and lowering bills for the long term is also part of that." Pushed on whether Blair is right to say that the focus shouldn't be on using less fossil fuels but on increasing carbon capture, Reed conceded that "we'll still be using fossil fuels... for some time to come". He added: "For many decades to come. The transition is so, so transition isn't gonna happen overnight." Reed said Blair is making a "valid and important contribution to a very significant debate" being had on net-zero, while speaking to Times Radio. "But this Government is moving to clean energy because it’s best for Britain. It’s more energy security for Britain," he added.