Rishi Sunak confirms he’s delaying ban on new petrol and diesel cars and boosts boiler upgrade scheme
Rishi Sunak has confirmed he will be easing a series of green policies under a “new approach” designed to protect “hard-pressed British families” from “unacceptable costs”.
Delivering a speech from Downing Street, he said he is still committed to reaching net zero by 2050, but the transition can be done in a “fairer and better way”.
Announcing a raft of U-turns, the prime minister confirmed he will delay a ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol cars by five years and a weakening of targets to phase out gas boilers.
He also said a “worrying set of proposals” that had emerged during debates on net zero would be scrapped, including:
- For government to interfere in how many passengers you can have in your car
- To force you to have seven different bins in your home
- To make you change your diet and harm British farmers by taxing meat
- To create new taxes to discourage flying or going on holiday
“Our destiny can be of our own choosing,” Mr Sunak said – while calling for politicians to be “honest” about the costs of green policies on families.
Politics live: Rishi Sunak gives speech from Downing Street
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‘No rights to impose costs on people’
The measures have faced criticism from across the political spectrum as well as from businesses, environmental groups and even former US vice president Al Gore.
Labour accused the prime minister of “dancing to the tune” of net zero-sceptic Tories and said the plans would actually add more costs to households while damaging investor confidence.
Explaining the government’s decision to delay the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars – currently due in 2030 – by five years, Mr Sunak said this would give businesses “more time to prepare”.
He also said people would still be allowed to buy secondhand diesel and petrol cars after that date and this would align the UK’s approach with countries across Europe, Canada and many US states.
In weakening the plan to phase out gas boilers from 2035, Mr Sunak said households would “never” be forced to “rip-out their existing boiler and replace it with a heat pump”.
This will only be required when people are due to change their boiler anyway and there will be an exception for households for whom that will be the hardest.
Mr Sunak also announced an increase to the boiler upgrade scheme, saying rather than banning boilers “before people can afford the alternative” the government is going to “support them to make the switch” to heat pumps.
He said: “The boiler upgrade scheme which gives people cash grants to upgrade their boiler will be increased by 50% to seven and a half thousand pounds.
“There are no strings attached. The money will never need to be repaid.”
Landlord efficiency targets scrapped
Mr Sunak has also scrapped plans to force landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties, saying some property owners would have been forced to “make expensive upgrades” within two years and that would inevitably impact renters.
“You could be looking at a bill of £8,000, and even if you’re only renting, you’re more than likely to see some of that passed on in higher rents,” he said.
“That’s just wrong, so those plans will be scrapped.”
Despite the “new approach”, the prime minister insisted the UK would meet its international obligations on climate change – such as those made under the Paris Climate Accords.
He went on to defend the UK’s record, arguing the country is “so far ahead” of other countries in the world when it comes to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
PM wants to portray himself as a leader prepared to take unpopular decisions his predecessors weren’t
For all the rhetoric about democracy and real political change – today’s speech was fundamentally about the Prime Minister giving into the concerns of many in his party about the costs of the green policies set out by Boris Johnson’s government.
Labour see these announcements as projecting fundamental political weakness: 20 points behind in the polls and struggling to meet the majority of his five pledges, Rishi Sunak urgently needs to find a way to connect with voters struggling during the cost of living crisis. He’s keen to win over the right wing Tory backbenchers concerned about the electoral danger of expensive environmental policies like the ULEZ expansion which was widely seen to have cost Labour the Uxbridge by election.
It’s an impression underlined by the hurried way the announcement was made – less than 24 hours after these controversial change in tack was leaked to the media, prompting a huge backlash from business and many in his own party. Making such a key speech in the Downing Street media briefing room – rather than to Parliament, also looks chaotic.
It’s sent the Speaker into a fury, earning a humiliating rebuke. “Ministers are answerable to MPs – we do not have a presidential system here,” Sir Lindsey Hoyle thundered. For a man like Mr Sunak, who prides himself on being a sensible pragmatist – the complete opposite to the cavalier Boris Johnson – it’s surely a criticism that will sting, though it’s hardly unexpected.
The irony is that Rishi Sunak opened his speech by pledging to put the long term interests of the country before the short term political needs of the moment. Climate campaigners, for whom nothing could be more urgent, will surely scoff at this.
But in the framing of his speech – as the first of a series of long term policy decisions in a ‘new kind of politics’ – the Prime Minister and his team are keen to burnish his reputation as a pragmatic reformer, prepared to take the kind of unpopular decisions his predecessors weren’t. Certainly many in his party have been calling for a change in approach, a new bolder strategy to set out a greater distance with Labour – and it seems he has been listening.
The PM’s key arguments – that government shouldn’t impose unnecessary or heavy handed costs on hard working people, and relying on the market to drive change – are a return to classic Conservatism.
But his core argument that the need for action is less urgent than we have previously been led to believe, because of the UK’s success in meeting existing climate targets – is not one which will sit easily with green minded MPs.
And while he spent a key part of the speech concentrating on the importance of green technological innovation, and celebrating the power of the market in delivering progress – that will surely stick in the throat of companies who’ve spent billions getting ready to meet targets which have now been delayed. Many in his own party are concerned about the reputational damage to the UK as a centre of business investment.
He’s well aware that today’s message will be deeply unpopular with some – but promised to ‘meet any resistance’. Many Tory MPs will welcome that more bullish approach; but his promise to deliver ‘pragmatism and not ideology’ is pure Sunak.
The question now is in the hands of voters – do they buy into this argument that the country can reach Net Zero by 2050 without many of the policies designed to get there? Or in the midst of the cost of living crisis – will they be delighted to avoid the cost of paying for them?
‘Act of weakness’
Among the critics, Ed Miliband, Labour’s Shadow Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, said: “Today is an act of weakness from a desperate, directionless prime minister, dancing to the tune of a small minority of his party. Liz Truss crashed the economy and Rishi Sunak is trashing our economic future.
“Having delivered the worst cost of living crisis in generations, the prime minister today loads more costs onto the British people.”
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: “This is a prime minister who simply doesn’t understand and cannot grasp for Britain the opportunities for jobs and our economy of driving forward with action on clean energy.”
There was also criticism from the car industry and energy industry.
Chis Norbury, the chief executive of the E.ON energy firm, said it was a “false argument” that green policies can only come at a cost, arguing they deliver affordable energy while boosting jobs.
He said companies wanting to invest in the UK need “long-term certainty” while communities now risk being condemned to “many more years of living in cold and draughty homes that are expensive to heat”.
Ford cars UK chairwoman Lisa Brankin said: “Our business needs three things from the UK Government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three.”
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Rishi Sunak is asked if his net zero policy climbdowns are a result of him panicking about the next election.
Tory MPs split
The announcement comes after last night’s leak of the plans sparked a major Tory backlash and even a threat of a no confidence letter.
Mr Sunak was due to give the speech later this week but brought it forward following a hastily arranged cabinet meeting this morning.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle reacted furiously to the announcement not being made to MPs, who are on recess for conferences, expressing his views “in the strongest terms” in a letter to Mr Sunak.
Tory MPs are split, with some seeing the row back on costly green policies as a vote winner and others fearing the impact it will have on business and the climate.
Senior figures who have backed the prime minister include his predecessor Liz Truss, who said: “I welcome the delay on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars as well as the delay on the ban on oil and gas boilers. This is particularly important for rural areas.”
Read more:
Braverman: ‘Bankrupting Britons won’t save planet’
Sunak’s messaging suggests net zero is negotiable
What could be scrapped from net zero pledges?
However Boris Johnson, who Ms Truss briefly took over from, said the row back would cause uncertainty for businesses, adding: “We cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country.”
Mr Johnson’s ally and prominent Tory environmentalist Lord Zac Goldsmith went as far as to demand a general election over the “economically and ecologically illiterate decision”.
The UK’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050 was written into law in 2019.
Climate scientists say urgent cuts are needed to the world’s greenhouse gas emissions if we are to stop temperatures rising to a potentially catastrophic extent.
In the summer, scientists warned extreme heat events were rapidly on the rise due to climate change.
Sir Keir Starmer has condemned plans for pro-Palestine protests two years to the day since the October 7 attacks on Israel, labelling them “un-British”.
Writing in The Times, the prime minister said demonstrations set to take place at several universities today showed a lack of respect for others, claiming previous rallies had been used by some as a “despicable excuse to attack British Jews”.
Follow latest updates on the Israel-Hamas war
In a statement marking the second anniversary of the Hamas attack, when 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage, Sir Keir said the UK’s Jewish communities had “endured rising antisemitism” since then – including last week’s attack on a synagogue in Manchester, in which two worshippers were killed.
Adrian Daulby, 53, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, died in the attack at Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall on Thursday.
Adrian Daulby (left) and Melvin Cravitz. Pics: Family handout/Facebook
‘A stain on who we are’
Mr Daulby, a member of the congregation, was shot accidentally when police fired on attacker Jihad al Shamie.
The synagogue’s rabbi told Sky News it happened as Mr Daulby “was holding the doors to make sure everyone inside stayed safe”.
The family of Mr Cravitz – a worshipper at the synagogue who police originally stated was a security guard – said he would “do anything to help anyone”.
Sir Keir described the attack as “horrifying”, adding: “This is a stain on who we are, and this country will always stand tall and united against those who wish harm and hatred upon Jewish communities.”
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Synagogue security guard describes moment attack unfolded
Ministers had urged protesters to rethink attending a rally in support of the banned group Palestine Action over the weekend, given its proximity to the synagogue attack.
It went ahead, and nearly 500 people were arrested.
Police have since been given new powers to impose conditions upon repeat protests.
Pro-Palestine demonstrations in central London have attracted thousands of people. Pic: PA
‘A living nightmare’
Of October 7, the prime minister said it was “the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust”.
“The brutal, cold-blooded torture and murder of Jews in their own homes.
“And the taking of hostages, including British citizens, some of whom remain in Gaza today.
“Since that awful day, so many have endured a living nightmare. When I spoke with some of the families of the British hostages, I promised them in person that we will not cease in our efforts to bring their loved ones home.”
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PM: ‘We must defeat antisemitism’
PM welcomes Trump’s peace efforts
In his statement, Sir Keir also spoke about the government’s priorities in the Middle East, which he said included releasing the hostages, getting more aid into Gaza, and a ceasefire “that can lead to a lasting and just peace as a step towards a two-state solution”.
The government last month recognised Palestine as a state to “revive the hope of peace”.
Read more: What recognising Palestine actually means
He said he welcomed US efforts to mediate a deal between Israel and Hamas. Officials from both sides wrapped up initial talks at an Egyptian resort on Monday, regarding the terms proposed by Donald Trump last week.
Mr Trump’s 20-point peace plan includes the disarmament of Hamas, which would have no role in Gaza’s future governance. The US president would lead an interim administration with the help of Sir Tony Blair, among others.
He has demanded Israel stop bombing Gaza, though airstrikes have continued.
Israel’s war on Hamas has now killed more than 67,000 people in Gaza, most of them civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians or combatants.
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‘We’re going to have a Gaza deal’
Antisemitism ‘a terrible scourge’
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also criticised pro-Palestine protests in a statement marking the October 7 anniversary, claiming some “turn into hate marches on our streets”.
She said the government’s decision to recognise a Palestinian state “has rewarded the terrorists that perpetrated the October 7 atrocities”.
“Appeasement does not work,” she said, adding: “There are still 48 hostages held captive in Gaza. They must come home now.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described antisemitism as a “terrible scourge” and said: “We stand in solidarity with British Jews, the people of Israel and Jewish communities around the world against terrorism, and against antisemitism in all its forms.”
Of the peace talks, he added: “We desperately hope that they will finally see the hostages returned home to their families, a lasting bilateral ceasefire, Hamas out of power in Gaza for good – and set us on the path to a two-state solution that offers both Israelis and Palestinians the peace and security they deserve.”
UK
46 people arrested as Met Police disrupts crime network suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen phones to China
The Metropolitan Police have arrested 46 people after disrupting a criminal network suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen phones from the UK to China.
A months-long investigation began last December when a box on its way to Hong Kong was found at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport containing around 1,000 iPhones.
Officers discovered almost all of the phones had been stolen, the force said. It then launched Operation Echosteep, bringing in specialist detectives to track down the suspects.
They intercepted further shipments and used forensics to identify two men in their 30s, who were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods on 23 September. They have since been charged and remanded in custody.
The discovery of the phones at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport. Pic: Metropolitan Police
A number of phones were found in the men’s car and around 2,000 more devices were found at properties linked to them, the Met Police said.
Detective Inspector Mark Gavin, the senior investigating officer for Operation Echosteep, said: “This group specifically targeted Apple products because of their profitability overseas.
“We discovered street thieves were being paid up to £300 per handset and uncovered evidence of devices being sold for up to $5,000 (£3,700) in China.”
Phones piled on the backseat of the suspects’ car. Pic: Metropolitan Police
Police call on phone manufacturers to do more
Commander Andrew Featherstone, the Met’s lead for tackling phone theft, has described the operation as “the largest crackdown on mobile phone theft and robbery in the UK”.
He continued: “We’ve shown how serious we are about tackling this issue, but we need more help from the industry.
“We’re calling on phone manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung to do more to support us and protect their customers – especially around phone security and re-use.”
A total of 46 people have been arrested during two weeks of what the force has described as “targeted and precise activity”.
These include the arrests of 11 people during an operation targeting gangs robbing courier vans delivering the new iPhone 17 and the arrest of two men in their 30s – on suspicion of money laundering and handling stolen goods – after officers recovered almost £40,000 in cash at a phone shop in north London.
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Another man was charged with handling stolen goods after being stopped with 10 suspected stolen phones at Heathrow Airport on 20 September.
Further enquiries revealed the man – who also had two iPads, two laptops and two Rolex watches – had travelled between London and Algeria more than 200 times in two years, the force said.
London mayor Sadiq Khan said it is “simply too easy and profitable” for criminals “making millions by repurposing stolen phones and selling them abroad”.
“I will continue to call on the mobile phone industry to go harder and faster in designing out this crime by making stolen devices unusable,” he said. “We need coordinated global action to shut down this trade and build a safer London for everyone.”
UK
Manchester synagogue attacker Jihad al Shamie ‘shared ISIS videos, ranted and asked for large sums of money’, his friends say
The synagogue killer, Jihad al Shamie, radicalised himself after searching online for videos of the Islamic State terror group, according to a friend.
The man, Qas, said al Shamie “started using [encrypted messaging app] Telegram and searching for ISIS videos.
“Once, he even tried to show me one at the shisha lounge. I told him to go away and asked how he even got access to that content, and he said it was through Telegram. After that, I didn’t see him for a long time until I heard what had happened.”
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Who was the Manchester synagogue attacker?
Another friend, Asim, told Sky News he met al Shamie through their shared interest in computers. He said he noticed a difference in al Shamie a year ago.
Asim said al Shamie “changed a bit, I felt his thoughts were a bit too radical for me. He was a nice guy, very quiet and softly-spoken. I was shocked about what he did.
“He started asking me for money – not small amounts, but thousands,” Asim explained.
“When I refused, he became angry. I’d never seen that side of him before.”
Earlier this year, al Shamie was working as a call handler for the RAC motoring organisation.
He was employed through an agency as a part-time temp from December to the end of March, when he was no longer needed.
Last year, al Shamie had money problems and was subject to a government debt relief order, which meant that his debts would be paid off in a year if he agreed to certain restrictions.
Money appeared to be one of many problems.
A former friend of al Shamie described how he became increasingly withdrawn and “in his own world” after a steroid addiction had led to heavier drug use. They said his behaviour became strange and unpredictable.
“I once noticed on his phone that he had several notifications from dating apps, which confused me because I knew he was married,” the friend said.
“You could be having a normal conversation with him, and suddenly he would flip and start ranting. I eventually blocked him.”
Police and forensics officers near Heaton Park Hebrew synagogue. Pic: PA
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Synagogue security guard on moment attack unfolded
Multiple marriages and ‘obsessed’ with dating app
It’s believed the terrorist married several wives in Islamic wedding ceremonies, one of them even before he split up from the mother of his young child.
He reportedly became obsessed with an Islamic dating app, and sent abusive messages to an ex-girlfriend, hit her and told her to dress more conservatively during their brief on-off relationship.
The woman, who was 18 at the time, told the Manchester Evening News: “He used to say ‘I want you to be dedicated to the cause’, and he used to sit there and make me watch videos, like extreme videos, that I had no interest in.
“I am Muslim and of course I love to learn more, but this stuff were things that I have been raised to not agree with. He used to always say I was taught the wrong way and I wasn’t taught right. He was basically just trying to groom me into what he thought.”
She said he would message girls on his Muzmatch – now Muzz – dating app, using false names such as Valentino and Ahmed.
“He kept getting banned because of his speech and what he was sending,” she said.
“There were times when he would send me videos of him with other girls, and the girls were quite young.”
‘Rape fantasies’
The woman said al Shamie told her he had “rape fantasies”, and that he “used to say weird stuff, it was just insane. I can’t believe I stayed as long as I did”.
His marriage collapsed after he secretly wed an NHS nurse, a widow, who had converted to Islam.
A neighbour, Geoff Halliwell, who cleaned the family’s windows for many years at their home in Prestwich, told Sky News al Shamie had lived there with his wife and young child, but he believed left six months earlier.
Mr Halliwell said: “There was the mother and three lads, but one moved away. We’re talking about the eldest, he had a wife and kid, but she moved out some time ago.
“There was no sign of radicalisation, nothing like that. We never talked politics. Just ‘good morning, how are you? Lovely day, isn’t it?’
“He was fine, the whole thing has come out of the blue. He was a smashing lad to talk to, so were the other two lads.”
Mr Halliwell said the father left the family home about 10 years ago, but sometimes visited.
Read more:
Families pay tribute to ‘kind and heroic’ victims
Police given extra time to question four arrested
Synagogue security guard ‘feared they would die’
He thought he had moved to France because sometimes he turned up in a French-registered car.
Faraj al Shamie, a trauma surgeon who has worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Africa, condemned his son’s attack on the synagogue.
Faraj al Shamie spoke of the family’s ‘deep shock and sorrow’ at his son’s actions
He said in a statement: “The al Shamie family in the UK and abroad strongly condemns this heinous act, which targeted peaceful, innocent civilians. We fully distance ourselves from this attack and express our deep shock and sorrow over what has happened.”
But, two years ago, on 7 October, he praised the actions of Hamas terrorists for their attack on Israel in which 1,200 were killed and 251 taken back to Gaza as hostages.
Al Shamie wrote on Facebook: “The scenes broadcast by the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of a group of fighters storming an Israeli army camp using simple means, namely balloons and motorcycles, prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Israel will not remain.”
Additional reporting by Shakir Ahmed, specialist producer and Rebecca Spencer, crime producer
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