Wealthy critics of Rishi Sunak’s net zero easing told to pipe down — because they’d not be the ones to suffer
WEALTHY critics of Rishi Sunak’s net zero easing have been told to pipe down — because they would not be the ones to suffer otherwise.
The PM yesterday stared down Tory sceptics.
He insisted Margaret Thatcher would have supported his plan to delay a series of green targets. His decision to push back a ban on new emissions cars and the phasing out of gas boilers was largely welcomed by Conservative backbenchers.
But some in the party slated the move. Peer Zac Goldsmith, estimated to be worth £280million, accused the PM of “chucking the environment into a political fire”.
He was slapped down by Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch. The minister said: “He is a friend of mine, but the fact is, he has way more money than pretty much everyone in the UK. This is not how we make decisions. We need to make decisions based on what the facts are. The facts are, the energy costs are rising.”
Mr Sunak also rejected claims from the Climate Change Committee that hitting net zero by 2050 was now wishful thinking. He told the BBC: “We are absolutely not slowing down efforts to combat climate change.”
He claimed Tory heroine Ms Thatcher would be right behind his measures to lighten the load.
It was for “those who disagree with me” to explain why ordinary Brits should fork out up to £15,000 for climate upgrades.
In a boost to his five-year car delay, motorways firm Moto said it would be “inconsequential” to its e-vehicle infrastructure rollout.