Government to ban new coal mining schemes as UK turns to clean energy - Ministers confirmed they would bring forward legislation restricting the licensing of new coal mines.

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 legislation is expected to have mixed economic effects. In the short term, regions dependent on coal mining may face job losses and economic challenges

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.Energy minister Michael Shanks said in a statement that "consigning coal power to the past" would "pave the way for a clean,