Rishi Sunak backtracks on cars and green policies amid Tory backlash

Rishi Sunak accused of 'scrapping' things that were never actual policies

Rishi Sunak has been accused of claiming to have "scrapped" measures such as taxes on meats and flying that were never Government policy.

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Conservative former Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke criticised the Prime Minister for putting up "a lot of straw men" as he weakened environmental policies.

In a speech in Downing Street, Mr Sunak said he will be easing a series of green policies while setting out a "new approach" designed to protect "hard-pressed British families" from "unacceptable costs".

The PM said: "The proposal for Government to interfere in how many passengers you can have in your car. I've scrapped it.

"The proposal that we should force you to have seven different bins in your home. I've scrapped it. The proposal to make you change your diet - and harm British farmers - by taxing meat, or to create new taxes to discourage flying or going on holiday. I've scrapped those too."

He added: "We will never impose these unnecessary and heavy-handed measures on you, the British people, but we will still meet our international commitments and hit net zero by 2050."

Mr Clarke backed some of the new measures, including more support for boiler upgrades. "But a lot of straw men have been offered up which simply weren't policy," he said. "Nobody serious in politics was talking about banning flying, taxing meat etc."

(Getty Images)

Sunak accused of 'dancing to Liz Truss' pathetic tune'

Expect to see a lot more of this image in the coming days.

If having Liz Truss sniping at him is irritating, having the Tory wrecking ball agree with him is just as dangerous for Mr Sunak.

Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy posted: "Rishi Sunak’s decision to drop his own climate commitments shows he’s in disarray, dancing to Liz Truss’ pathetic tune. His announcement today piles on more costs to consumers, has enraged business and is destroying Britain’s climate leadership. We need a general election now."

Rishi Sunak’s decision to drop his own climate commitments shows he’s in disarray, dancing to Liz Truss’ pathetic tune. His announcement today piles on more costs to consumers, has enraged business and is destroying Britain’s climate leadership. We need a general election now. pic.twitter.com/VLvbcMoKNJ

Richard 'shuts up' GMB guest who says Hancock 'deserved' being called 'd***head' — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) September 20, 2023

Tory group warns PM's 'unnecessary' speech risks damaging party

There's still plenty of blue-on-blue scrapping to come after Mr Sunak's announcement today.

The Conservative Environment Network warned the PM his watering down of green policies risks reputational damage for the Tories. Director Sam Hall said: "This was an unnecessary speech that risks damaging the Conservative Party's hard-won reputation on environmental issues.

"Today the PM has changed little of substance besides delaying the transition to electric cars. Sticking to the 2030 deadline would have saved UK motorists money, supported car firms that have invested in new EV factories, and unlocked crucial investment in charge-point infrastructure.

"New measures to speed up grid infrastructure and incentivise heat pump uptake are very welcome, however. But the framing of today's announcements has created an unhelpful impression for voters that the party is backtracking on climate action."

What did Mr Sunak actually announce?

Here are the main points from Mr Sunak's speech:

• The ban on new petrol and diesel cars will be delayed to 2035, replacing the previous deadline of 2030. Rishi Sunak also said such vehicles will still be able to be sold second-hand after that date.
• The Prime Minister suggested his Government would not implement any new taxes on air travel, saying proposals to "discourage flying" have been scrapped.
• He also said proposals for the Government to "interfere in how many passengers you can have in your car" or "make you change your diet" have been "scrapped" as well as a suggested meat tax or forcing households to have seven different rubbish bins.
• The commitment to reach net zero by 2050 remains in place.
• The Prime Minister said the UK remains committed to meeting international climate targets including those in the Paris Agreement.
• Reforms will be made to how new energy and grid infrastructure goes through planning, with Mr Sunak saying the Government would bring forward a new spatial plan to give "certainty" to industry and give communities a say, and speed up nationally significant infrastructure.
• The Prime Minister said no household will be forced to introduce energy efficiency improvements.
• Mr Sunak suggested the ambition to phase out the installation of new gas boilers by 2035 will be weakened. He said the Government would not force anyone to rip out their existing boiler for a heat pump, and that a new exemption would also be applied for low income households "so that they will never have to switch at all".
• The grant available under the boiler upgrade scheme for households installing air source heat pumps will be increased by 50% from £5,000 to £7,500.
• The Prime Minister said the Government would not ban extraction of new oil and gas in the North Sea.
• A £150 million green future fellowship will support scientists and engineers to develop green technologies.

'This isn't leadership' says Lib Dem boss who accuses PM of 'running scared'

The UK faces being pushed to "the back of the queue" for green energy investment, the Lib Dem leader has warned.

Following Rishi Sunak's climbdown this afternoon, Sir Ed Davey said: "This is not leadership from Rishi Sunak, this is putting the UK at the back of the queue as the rest of the world races to embrace the industries of tomorrow.

"The Prime Minister's legacy will be the hobbling of our country's future economy as he ran scared from the right wing of his own party. It is selfish and it epitomises his weakness.

"At the very time we need to stand up and lead, Sunak rolled over."

At-a-glance: What's changing after PM's announcement

Car sales: A ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars has been delayed by five years. Originally a ban on the vehicles being sold in the UK was due to come into place from 2030 but this has now been moved back to 2035.

Gas boilers: A target to ban gas boilers by 2035 has been weakened. The target will now aim to phase out 80% of them, instead of 100%.

Oil boilers: A 2026 ban on oil boilers for those living in off-grid homes (those not connected to the National Grid) has been delayed until 2035 and will also now only be a target to phase out 80% of them.

Rules for landlords and homeowners: No new energy efficiency regulations on homes are to be introduced. There had previously been discussions about imposing fines on homeowners and landlords for failing to comply with a minimum energy efficiency standard.

For a full run-down, click here

Liz Truss welcomes PM's move - but urges him to go further

Liz Truss has spoken of her joy after Rishi Sunak took her advice.

Just 24 hours before the PM's backtrack Ms Truss called for the ban on new petrol and diesel cars to be pushed back. After her wish came true she urged ministers to go even further.

In a statement she said: "I welcome the delay on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars as well as the delay on the ban on oil and gas boilers. This is particularly important for rural areas.

"I now urge the Government to abolish the Windfall Tax on oil and gas and lift the fracking ban, which would reduce people's energy bills and make the UK more competitive."

(ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Announcement is 'act of weakness' from 'desperate, directionless PM' says Labour

Today's announcement is an "act of weakness" from a "desperate, directionless Prime Minister", Ed Miliband has said.

Mr Miliband, Labour's Shadow Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, accused him of "dancing to the tune" of a small minority in his party.

He said: “Today is an act of weakness from a desperate, directionless Prime Minister, dancing to the tune of a small minority of his party. Liz Truss crashed the economy and Rishi Sunak is trashing our economic future.

“Having delivered the worst cost of living crisis in generations, the Prime Minister today loads more costs onto the British people. Delaying the phase out of petrol and diesel cars will add billions in costs to families and damage investor confidence in the UK, as we have seen from the furious business reaction today.

“This is a Prime Minister who simply doesn’t understand and cannot grasp for Britain the opportunities for jobs and our economy of driving forward with action on clean energy. After today, it is clearer than ever that only Labour can create jobs, lower bills, deliver energy security for Britain, and tackle the climate crisis.”

(Getty Images)

PM asked how he'll explain climbdown to his daughters

Asked how he'll explain his climate climbdown to his daughters, the PM insisted he wasn't watering down targets.

Mr Sunak has said that green plans are the issues he discusses most with his children, and previously said they would never forgive him if he drops the ball.

The under-fire PM, who faces a rebellion within his own party, shot back: "The idea that we're watering down our targets is just wrong. If someone thinks what we're doing isn't ambitious enough I don't know what they'd say to every other country in the world because we're way ahead now."

Sunak admits there's 'lots of resistance' to what he's doing

The PM admitted there is "lots of resistance" to his row back on climate pledges, as he dodged a question on whether he was making the move in a panic ahead of the next general election.

In the Q&A after his speech, the Prime Minister said that as chancellor, he was already critical of Boris Johnson's government being "on autopilot to just adopt" green policies. And now as Prime Minister, I've got an opportunity to change things and what I don't want to do is make yet more short-term decisions, easy ways out and ultimately not be straight with the country about what those mean for them."

Yet again the PM is set to scuttle away without taking a direct question from The Mirror.

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Frequent flier Sunak rules out taxes on flights to bring down emissions

The helicopter enthusiast PM has also ruled out new taxes on flying to bring down emissions.

He said in his address that he's scrapped a string of measures - such as moves to encourage carpooling, recycling and taxing meat. Mr Sunak said: "The proposal for government to interfere in how many passengers you can have in your car. I’ve scrapped it.

"The proposal that we should force you to have seven different bins in your home. I’ve scrapped it.

"The proposal to make you change your diet – and harm British farmers - by taxing meat. Or to create new taxes to discourage flying or going on holiday.

"I’ve scrapped those too."

PM insists 'vast majority' of car sales will be electric by 2030

Mr Sunak said that he expects the "vast majority" of cars sold will be electric.

Announcing his rollback on the ban on new petrol and diesel cars, he stated: "And I expect that by 2030, the vast majority of cars sold will be electric. Why?

"Because the costs are reducing; the range is improving; the charging infrastructure is growing. People are already choosing electric vehicles to such an extent that we’re registering a new one every 60 seconds.

"But I also think that at least for now, it should be you the consumer that makes that choice, not government forcing you to do it. Because the upfront cost is still high – especially for families struggling with the cost of living."

Sunak denies he's just trying to prevent election drubbing

Mr Sunak has denied it's a ploy to try prevent an election drubbing.

The Prime Minister said he's been concerned about the costs associated with reaching Net Zero after bowing to pressure from within his own party. He said: "I've been thinking about these issues for a long time. As Chancellor I was worried about the impact on families."

He added that the UK was on "autopilot" and said he wouldn't be seeking "easy ways out".

People won't be forced to replace boilers, PM says

Mr Sunak has also confirmed that the Government's ban on gas boilers will be delayed until 2035 - and even then only when gas boilers reach end of their life. He said householders will never be forced to replace them.

The ban on new fossil fuel boilers for certain households will be delayed while cash grants for boiler upgrade schemes will increase by 50% to £7,500 for those who want to transition now, he said.

He accused previous governments of trying to reach net zero "simply by wishing it". The Prime Minister said: "The Climate Change Committee have rightly said you don't reach net zero simply by wishing it.

"Yet that's precisely what previous governments have done, both Labour and Conservative. No one in Westminster politics has yet had the courage to look people in the eye and explain what's really involved. That's wrong, and it changes now."

Petrol and diesel car ban to be pushed back, as expected

As expected, Rishi Sunak confirms the Government will abandon the 2030 ban on sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

He says it will be for the consumer to decide - until 2035. This will bring it in line with countries like Germany and Sweden, he states.

Peope will still be able to buy second hand petrol and diesel cars, he clarified.

'No one has the courage to look people in the eye' says Mr Sunak

He makes it clear that he's not a climate change denier.

"No one can watch the floods in Libya and the heat in Europe and doubt what's happening," he said. "No one in Westminster has had the courage to look people in the eye and explain what needs to be done."

Cushioning the blow, he claims we're "so far ahead" of the rest of the world.

PM starts by moaning about 'short term decisions'

The PM's up, starting by moaning about politicians who have taken "the easy way out".

He said: "We've stumbled into a consensus about the future of our country that no one is happy with." The under-fire PM said he believes "we risk losing the consent of the British people" for net zero policies without a change in approach.

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Several frontbenchers in the front row

A number of frontbenchers are in the room to watch Mr Sunak's speech.

Kemi Badenoch, Claire Coutinho, Mark Harper and Penny Mordaunt have taken their seats at the press conference, my colleague Sophie Huskisson says.

Now former US vice president Al Gore's weighed in

Former US vice president and climate change activist Al Gore said Rishi Sunak "is doing the wrong thing" by curbing green policies.

Mr Gore, speaking to Sky News on Wednesday, said: "I think it is unfortunate that he would do that. And I think the people of the United Kingdom largely agree that it is the wrong decision.

"But that is for people of the United Kingdom to address. I certainly disagree with him." Asked whether Mr Sunak's plans would set back the net zero cause, Mr Gore replied: "He is doing the wrong thing."

(Getty Images)

Furious speaker 'would recall Parliament immediately if he could'

Rishi Sunak can add Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to the list of people he's annoyed today.

Sir Lindsday has reacted furiously to Rishi Sunak holding a press conference to announce his new green policy rather than addressing MPs.

A spokeswoman for the Speaker's Office said: "If he had the power, the Speaker would recall the House immediately - and he is writing to the Prime Minister today, to express that view in the strongest of terms.

"This is a major policy shift, and it should have been announced when the House was sitting. Members with very different views on this issue have expressed their disquiet on the way this has been handled, especially as the Commons rose early last night, so there was plenty of time for this statement to be made.

"Instead, the unelected House of Lords will have the opportunity to scrutinise this change in direction this afternoon, when it hears the Government's response to a private notice question on this issue. This is not the way to do business. Ministers are answerable to MPs - we do not have a presidential system here.

"The House of Commons is where laws are made, national debates are had - and where statements should be made."

(BBC)

'It's hard to see why No10 thinks this is a good moment to row back'

Jacob Rees-Mogg brands Boris Johnson a 'zealot' over Net Zero

One of Boris Johnson's closest allies has come out swinging for the former PM over Net Zero - describing him as a "zealot".

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who was knighted in Mr Johnson's resignation honours list, backed Mr Sunak's decision to water down green measures. Sir Jacob said: "I've never been as much of a net zero zealot as Boris is.

"I mean, he genuinely believes in a more high wire approach in this area. I like to have a safety net under any high wire and I think what the Government's doing now is using the safety net.

"And I think it's absolutely right. I could not be more supportive of what the Prime Minister is doing under these circumstances."

Sadiq Khan says climbdown after one by-election win 'beggars belief'

It is "beggars belief" that the Conservative Government could be basing its weakening of climate change commitments on its victory in one by-election, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said.

It was put to him that the Government may have taken its prompt from the Tories' success in the summer's Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, won largely through a campaign against Mr Khan's expansion of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez).

The Labour mayor told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme: "The idea a government would have a 10-year economic plan or a 20-year energy plan based upon a by-election in a seat... beggars belief."

Speaking to the programme from New York where he is addressing the UN Climate Summit, Mr Khan also said: "This U-turn from Prime Minister Sunak today, it not only makes no economic sense..., but it makes no sense in relation to the urgency of tackling the climate emergency."

(PA)

It's gone down like a lead balloon with the car industry

Delaying the ban on petrol and diesel new cars will "undermine" what manufacturer Ford needs from the Government, the company has warned.

Lisa Brankin, who chairs Ford UK, said: "Our business needs three things from the UK Government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three.

"We need the policy focus trained on bolstering the EV (electric vehicle) market in the short term and supporting consumers while headwinds are strong: infrastructure remains immature, tariffs loom and cost-of-living is high."

Another car maker, Stellantis, said "clarity is required from governments on important legislation". Former Aston Martin boss Dr Andy Palmer said there was a "great deal of disappointment" in the UK's auto industry.

He told BBC Radio 4's World At One: "The industry is already determined that we're going to have electric cars.
"And countries like the US are protecting their industry, whereas countries like China are projecting their industry. And the real risk here is that by not having an aggressive strategy, we're just opening the door to basically Chinese sales."

One former PM will be delighted

Boris Johnson may be unhappy with the PM, but Mr Sunak's immediate predecessor will be delighted.

In a speech on Monday, Liz Truss called for exactly the action the Prime Minister is expected to take. Without a trace of irony the Tory wrecking ball told the audience: "If there's one thing we should be doing, it's reducing the cost for households."

She called for the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles - due to kick in from 2030 - should be paused. Measures to ensure gas and oil boilers are replaced should also be chopped, Ms Truss said.

Rounding off her speech, she said: "And finally we should – as many other Western countries are already doing – delay implementing Net Zero commitments such as the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030. Other environmental regulations which are hiking the cost of living like enforcing the replacement of gas and oil boilers should also be abandoned."

https://t.co/z0zqvTaIvC pic.twitter.com/dnMYwCwvPn

— Mikey Smith (@mikeysmith) September 19, 2023

What is Mr Sunak expected to announce?

The PM is expected to announce the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will now be delayed by five years to 2035. He is also likely to announce a target to phase out gas boilers in homes is being delayed to 2035 and that no new energy efficiency regulations on homes are to be introduced.

A 2026 ban on oil boilers for those living in off-grid homes (those not connected to the National Grid) has not only been delayed until 2035 but will also now only be a target to phase out 80% of them.

Boris Johnson lashes out at Sunak over climbdown

Another unwelcome intervention for Rishi Sunak came from Boris Johnson, who was scathing about the PM's climbdown.

Mr Johnson, who was forced to quit a year ago after a string of scandals and has since left Parliament, said: "Business must have certainty about our net zero commitments. This country leads on tackling climate change and in creating new green technology.

"The green industrial revolution is already generating huge numbers of high quality jobs and helping to drive growth and level up our country. Business and industry - such as motor manufacturing - are rightly making vast investments in these new technologies.

"It is those investments that will produce a low carbon future - at lower costs for British families. It is crucial that we give those businesses confidence that government is still committed to net zero and can see the way ahead.
"We cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country."

(zz/Dennis Van Tine/STAR MAX/IPx)

Former Tory minister demands immediate General Election

Tory heavyweight Lord Goldsmith, who angrily quit the cabinet in June saying he was "horrified" at environmental pledges being ditched, called for an immediate General Election.

The ex-minister and failed Mayor of London candidate described the latest development is a "moment of shame" for the UK. and he posted on Twitter: "We need an election. Now."

Lord Goldsmith stated: "Putting aside the ethics or even merits surrounding the issue, it is difficult to exaggerate the political stupidity of this economically and ecologically illiterate decision by the PM."

Meanwhile Sir Alok Sharma, who was the president of the Cop26 climate summit, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think it'd be incredibly damaging for business confidence, for inward investment, if the political consensus that we have forged in our country on the environment and climate action is fractured.

"And, frankly, I really do not believe that it's going to help any political party electorally which chooses to go down this path."

Some Tory MPs are weighing up writing letters of no confidence in the Prime Minister if he goes ahead with the changes, it is understood. Chris Skidmore, a Conservative former energy minister who led a government-commissioned review on net zero, said: "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."

(AFP via Getty Images)