Sunak planning to drop net zero policies in pre-election challenge to Labour
Rishi Sunak is planning to row back on some of the government’s net zero policies that impose a direct cost on consumers as the Conservatives attempt to create a dividing line with Labour before the next election.
The Guardian understands that the move, expected to be announced in a major speech this Friday, could include delaying a ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel cars and the phasing out of gas boilers.
The prime minister is expected to drop plans for new energy efficiency targets for private rented homes after ministers considered imposing fines on landlords who failed to upgrade their properties to help meet climate targets.
A source with knowledge of the No 10 discussions said Sunak’s plan to “reset the narrative” on net zero would delay some of the main targets, but he is not expected to abandon the overall target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Senior Tories have argued that watering down the targets would be a huge mistake that could cost jobs, put up energy bills and damage the UK’s international reputation.
The BBC reported that Sunak was also planning to delay the ban on off-grid oil boilers will be delayed from 2026 to 2035, with only an 80% phase-out target at that date.
It was also suggested the prime minister would tell Britons there would be no new taxes to discourage flying; no government policies to change people’s diets; and no measures to encourage carpooling. He is also expected to rule out what he sees as burdensome recycling schemes.
Sunak is expected to argue that the move is possible because the UK is ahead of the game internationally on climate commitments – despite warnings that it is not on course to hit emissions cutting targets.
Sources told the Guardian he would claim that he has made a hard choice to push back the targets in the interests of consumers, as the Tories attempt to get back on the front foot after months of being hammered over their handling of the economy during the cost of living crisis.
The prime minister has been under pressure from the Conservative right to delay or even abandon costly green policies following the party’s victory in the Uxbridge byelection – in part a protest vote at the expansion of London’s low emissions scheme.
The planned move was condemned by the Tory MP Chris Skidmore, a former energy minister who led a recent review into net zero by the government, who said it would be “greatest mistake of his premiership” for Sunak.
“If this is true, the decision will cost the UK jobs, inward investment, and future economic growth that could have been ours by committing to the industries of the future,” he said. “It will potentially destabilise thousands of jobs and see investment go elsewhere. And ultimately the people who will pay the price for this will be householders whose bills will remain higher as a result of inefficient fossil fuels and being dependent on volatile international fossil fuel prices.
“Rishi Sunak still has time to think again and not make the greatest mistake of his premiership, condemning the UK to missing out on what can be the opportunity of the decade to deliver growth, jobs and future prosperity.”
Caroline Lucas, the sole Green MP, tweeted a tennis image, saying: “Game, set & match to the climate dinosaurs?” She added: “Sunak is economically illiterate, historically inaccurate and environmentally bone-headed. This absurd rollback will mean higher energy bills, colder homes, fewer jobs, more air pollution & more climate chaos.”
A government spokesperson said: “The government remains completely committed to its net zero commitments, with the UK having cut emissions faster than any other G7 country. Our approach will always be pragmatic and ensure costs are not passed onto hard-working families. We will not comment on speculation.”
One source said the change in direction had been driven by new arrivals in No 10, Adam Atashzai and Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, brought in by Sunak to focus on electoral strategy after the departure of the former director of communications Amber de Botton. No 10 denied that they were responsible for the move.
Sam Hall, the director of the Conservative Environment Network, which has support from about 150 Tory MPs and peers, said: “Slowing down action on climate change would be a serious political, economic, and environmental mistake. Emissions reduction has been one of the Conservative party’s most significant successes in government and remains a top concern for the public. The government should be seeking to build on and strengthen that record ahead of the election.
“Climate action is a great economic opportunity for the UK, as shown by recent announcements on electric vehicle production. But while the UK has enjoyed a head-start in attracting investment into clean industries, in large part due to the government’s ambitious and consistent targets, major policy changes put that at risk.
“It is important to ensure net zero policies are fair and affordable, especially given current cost of living pressures, but policies shouldn’t be weakened without putting in place alternative measures to reduce emissions.”