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Rishi Sunak is reconsidering environmental policies that could require consumers to pay out-of-pocket amid concerns they could hurt elections. I understand.
The prime minister may reconsider measures that will push consumers to spend more, with people familiar with the matter saying that protecting households from rising costs is a top priority for the prime minister.
A government spokesman claimed the UK was the “net-zero world leader” but said ministers would “always strive to protect consumers from rising costs”.
“Many of the actions we are taking will offer customers lower rates in the long run,” the spokesperson said.
“But we know that the biggest concern for families across the country today is the immediate cost of living, which is why halving inflation is one of the prime minister’s top priorities.”
“We are working hard to stick to our plans to reduce pressure on families and will always strive to protect consumers from rising costs.”
Campaigners say Mr Sunak has been pressured by residents’ concerns about London’s clean air policy to oppose environmental measures such as a ban on petrol cars and a surcharge on utilities after his party won by-elections in Uxbridge and South Ruislip by narrow margins.
However, senior Conservative Party officials dismissed suggestions that the result was an indicator that the party should roll back its climate policy if it could win the next election.
Instead, they argued, governments need to ensure that the most vulnerable people are not burdened.
Minister Michael Gove Levelup said the government was “doing too many things too quickly” in areas of environmental policy that demanded changes from consumers.
But Environment Commission chairman Sir Robert Goodwill said London mayor Sadiq Khan’s response to ultra-low emission zones (Ulez), blamed for the Labor defeat at Uxbridge, is no reason for the government to backtrack on other climate pledges.
The warning comes amid devastating wildfires in Greece and Switzerland and extreme heat waves across southern Europe.
Asked about the proposal that the government should relax its environmental policy, Sir Robert said: I: “Given the pace of global warming and what is happening in Southern Europe and around the world, I don’t think there is time for that.
“But I think what we should look at is whether this burden falls on the least able to pay. I think London’s low-emission zones are a prime example of that.”
“But we should not take the results of Ures, one particular policy that targets air quality more than global warming, as a reason to abdicate our responsibility to address climate change.”
He said the government “needs”.[s] It’s about promoting policies that help achieve the net-zero goal,” he said, dismissing the opinion that he was unpopular with voters.
Commenting on the opposition voices within the party, he added: But that doesn’t mean the party’s efforts are weakening. “
Marc Garnier, a Conservative MP and member of the Energy Net Zero Committee, said he shared concerns about the rapid pace of some changes but opposed moving away from environmental promises.
“There are a lot of economic opportunities out of all this, apart from other things, and we need to save the planet,” he said. I.
“I don’t know if our plans will change, but the problem is the pace of change. Due to Ures, people will have to switch cars by the end of August in parts of London where public transport is poor.
He added: “We need policies that are doable and, importantly, bring people about all of this.”
Center-right think tank Onward said it was “a mistake for political parties to tone down all environmental policies” simply because they were “poorly implemented and poorly communicated regional policies.”
Jack Richardson, head of energy and climate at the think tank, said: I: “Abandoning all environmental policies does not help either party.
According to YouGov, climate change and the environment remain voters’ top five concerns after immigration and crime, but only 68% of doubtful Conservatives would vote for Net Zero if it were to be scrapped, according to Onward’s survey.
“Rather, green policies that encourage economic growth and encourage consumers are the best way to win votes and maintain support.”
Sir Jacob Leesmogg said the Conservatives’ by-election victory, which lost two more seats on the same day, showed there was a “real chance” for Mr Sunak to score a shock victory on Election Day.
He told GB News that “there are things that can be changed to succeed in the election” and urged ministers to “stop burdening” citizens and businesses with “additional” green fees.
“What works is getting rid of unpopular and expensive environmental policies, and that’s a real opportunity for us,” he said. “There is now an energy bill before parliament that will impose endless costs on UK consumers and businesses. We don’t want that.”
He said the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars announced during Mr Johnson’s premiership was formulated “in different circumstances a few years ago” and the government should back down.
Conservative MP Craig McKinley, chairman of the NetZero Scrutiny Group, has previously hinted at extending the car ban until 2035.
His comments came after Housing Secretary Gove called for “thoughtful environmentalism” but warned against “treating environmental issues like a religious movement.”
minister said The Sunday Telegraph He wants to “relax” the 2028 deadline for landlords in the private rental sector to make their properties energy efficient.
Chris Skidmore, the UK government’s net-zero emperor, had opposed the proposal, saying it would be “extremely regrettable” and “an abandonment of responsible government” if ministers were to “do politics” over environmental policy.
Gove’s ministry undersecretary, Lee Lawrie, said the government needed to be “very careful” to “have people accompany us on this journey” of achieving net zero.
But he denied that the Conservative Party was considering abandoning its commitment to the environment.