Rishi Sunak has defended his green credentials amid rollbacks of environmental policies and today’s announcement of scrapping nutrient neutrality rules aimed at limiting nitrogen and phosphorus in waterways.
The prime minister hailed today’s announcement that he said will “unlock 100,000 new homes” and “provide an £18bn boost to our economy and support tens of thousands of jobs”.
“That’s fantastic for young, first-time buyers,” he declared.
He said he still wants to reach net zero by the 2050 deadline in law, but it must be done “in a proportionate and pragmatic way that does not unnecessarily burden families and households in the process”.
He added: “We have got a proud track record on tackling climate change, we have reduced our emissions faster than pretty much any developed country.”
The prime minister also hit out at London mayor Sadiq Khan whose expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone – more commonly known as ULEZ – has gone into effect today.
Mr Sunak told broadcasters: “I think people and families are struggling with the cost of living, that is obvious to everyone.
“And at that time, the Labour Party, the Labour mayor Sadiq Khan and Keir Starmer are introducing the ULEZ charge which is going to hit working families.
“I don’t think that’s the right priority, I don’t think that’s the right thing to do and I wish they hadn’t done it.”