Sunak Planning To Drop Net Zero Policies In Pre-Election Challenge To Labour

"Plans set to be announced on Friday could include delaying ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars".

"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 sale of new petrol and diesel cars and watering down the phasing out of gas boilers.

The prime minister is also 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.

Sunak said on Tuesday that the government remained committed to the net zero target but planned to hit it in a “better, more proportionate” way."

Rowena Mason, Pippa Crerar, and Peter Walker report for the Guardian September 19, 2023.

Source: Guardian, 09/20/2023