22 September 2023 , 09:11
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Question Time viewers turned off their TVs last night after an audience member claimed "people on £200,000 are struggling".
The awkward exchange saw a man in the audience attempt to defend Rishi Sunak's decision to roll back targets to reach net zero. The PM claimed he had no choice but to strip back the UK's climate commitments, which included delaying a 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2035, because meeting them would hit British pockets too hard.
BBC presenter Fiona Bruce led the Question Time debate, which asked: "Are Rishi Sunak's net zero policies proportionate, or a desperate attempt to win votes?" A man in the audience chipped in to say: "I think they're personally not ready for the infrastructure - the government, or anybody... There's not that many proper electric chargers anywhere in the country and I think they realise it and at the moment everyone is struggling. Even if you're on £100,000-£150,000, or even £200,000, you're struggling in this country."
Ms Bruce, who looked shocked, then replied: "What, struggling on £200,000 a year?" He responded: "Yeah, yeah. Well a lot of people have to pay quarter of a million, £300,000, £400,000 for a house when they're young."
One Twitter user wrote online: "Turns on BBC Question Time. Audience bloke says people on £200,000 a year are struggling and can’t afford net zero policies. Turns off question time." Another user replied: "Yep same - good night - hopefully it's all a dream."
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The audience member was asked if the government are right to do what they're doing, to which he added: "I think he's being honest and when you think about it we're wasting our time. When you think about it, we're going to bring it down by 2050, where does China end up? They'll still be pumping coal into the air so we're wasting our time."
The comment comes after Mr Sunak said in his speech the UK has had the fastest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the G7 - down by almost 50% since 1990. He compared this to China which he said was up by more than 300%. The UK is committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Unions and campaigners have warned the PM's policies risk jobs being lost and bills going up. The TUC, which brings together trade unions, estimates 800,000 manufacturing jobs could be lost without proper support.
Tenants could face higher heating bills as landlords will no longer be forced to ensure their properties are properly insulated. Business leaders, including the motoring industry, have warned that the mayhem will discourage firms from investing in this country.
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