Ministers pledged to protect consumers from “any escalating costs” associated with green policies, as Conservative MPs called for a “rethink” on the pace of change to reach net zero.
Right-wing Conservatives are urging the prime minister to review timelines around environmental measures after voter concerns over the expansion of London’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) helped the party hold on to Boris Johnson’s former Uxbridge and South Ruislip during last week’s by-election.
The result has given the ruling party hope that its chances of a stunning general election victory are not over if it can focus on issues where there is a clear division with Labour.
Former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and Danny Kruger, the co-leader of the New Conservatives, a group of Conservative MPs elected since the Brexit referendum, called for the green deadlines to be reconsidered on Sunday.
Rishi Sunak is said to be considering delaying or abandoning measures to tackle climate change that could impose costs on consumers.
One of the options on the table is a waiver for smaller carmakers, dubbed the “Aston Martin waiver,” on the 2030 ban on new gasoline and diesel cars, according to The Times.
The newspaper said the UK government is also considering a ban on new low traffic (LTN) neighbourhoods, with ministers reportedly considering preventing councils from using the national license plate database to halt enforcement of the zones.
No 10 said he could not comment on any of the suggestions, although Mr Sunak is likely to be asked about them during a visit to the West Midlands on Monday before the government unveils house building reforms.
I think the entire population recognizes that we need a transition that is affordable, and particularly for working families, people who are struggling to make ends meet.
Danny Kruger, Conservative MP
The Department of Energy Security said the push to net zero would “provide customers with cheaper bills in the long run” but acknowledged there were concerns about the costs involved with the 2050 target.
A government spokeswoman said: “We know that the number one concern for families across the country today is the immediate challenge of the cost of living and that is why halving inflation is one of the Prime Minister’s top priorities.
“We are working hard to stick to the plan to ease the pressure on families, and we will always seek to protect consumers from any increase in costs.”
Tory senior Sir Jacob said the lesson of the Uxbridge result, where the Tory majority fell from 7,200 to under 500 votes, was that ministers needed to “stop burdening” the public with “extra” green charges and regulations.
He told GB News: “What works is getting rid of expensive and unpopular green policies, and that’s a real opportunity for us.”
He proposed “getting rid of” the 2030 ban on new gasoline and diesel cars, announced during Johnson’s tenure, arguing that it was formulated “a few years ago under different circumstances.”
Devizes MP Mr Kruger told BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour: “We shouldn’t be abandoning green policies, but we have to work in a sensible way.
“And I think the entire population, young and old, recognizes that we need a transition that is affordable and particularly affordable for working families, people who are struggling to make ends meet.
“And net zero cost right now is forecast to fall more on them.
“I think we need to bring the whole country with us and we need to rethink the pace and the mechanism of change that we all want to see.”
It comes as landlords asked for more clarity on suggestions from Housing Secretary Michael Gove that the deadline for improving the energy efficiency of private rented homes could be relaxed.
The government had proposed during a consultation that by April 2025 all new build leases would need to be rated ‘C’ or better, with the same rating applied to all private rented housing by April 2028.
Gove said on Sunday that landlords were being asked to do “too much too fast”.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), said a two-year delay since the original consultation on the measures meant ministers had been warned that “there was never any hope of meeting the originally proposed deadlines”.
He said: “The NRLA wants to see properties as energy efficient as possible, but the sector needs certainty about how and when this will happen.
“Ministers must develop a proper plan including a fair financial package to support improvements in the private rental sector.”
Labor overturned a large majority of 20,000 Tory in the Selby and Ainsty by-election, but were left holding a public inquiry into why they had fallen short in Uxbridge.
Leader Sir Keir Starmer blamed Khan’s proposals to expand Ulez to all London boroughs for his loss in west London.
Khan, the Labor incumbent on the council, plans next month, subject to a legal challenge, to extend the £12.50 daily charge for vehicles that do not meet emissions standards, taking it beyond the capital’s north and south circular roads.
The PA news agency understands that Khan plans to stick with the policy, which is designed to reduce air pollution in the capital, but is currently looking at whether there are other ways to mitigate the financial impact on Londoners without reducing its effectiveness.