Do you support plans to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 - take our poll
Cabinet minister Michael Gove has said the Tories are “committed” to banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 and that the deadline is “immovable”- and we want to know what YOU think of the plans.
This comes after Rishi Sunak cast doubt on his government's net zero agenda following days of ambiguity over climate-related policies.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Gove said: "We're committed to maintaining our policy of ensuring by 2030 there are no new petrol or diesel cars being sold." He added: "I am sure some people would like to change that policy, I understand. But no, that policy remains".
Meanwhile, foreign Office Minister Andrew Mitchell said this week that he could not "prophesy for the future" when asked about the plan - before saying it "will remain in place".
Amid the cost-of-living crisis and soaring shopping bills, the Prime Minister appears to be considering watering down some of the net zero policies as he seeks to take a “proportionate and pragmatic” approach to the environment.
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Mr Sunak was unable to say whether he stuck by the policy during a visit to a housing development in Worcestershire, as he has promised not to "unnecessarily" add costs and "hassle" to households to hit climate targets. But when Mr Gove was asked by Times Radio if the deadline was “immoveable”, he responded with: “Yes”.
The muddle comes as some Tories urge the PM to dilute policies, especially after Tories narrowly held on to the Uxbridge and South Ruislip in last week's by-election, on a campaign against extending London's Ultra Low Emission (ULEZ).
Lord David Frost, Boris Johnson's Brexit negotiator, told the Telegraph: "The lesson is surely that green policies are very unpopular when there's a direct cost to people - as indeed all the polling says." He said: "This time that hit Labour. But soon it could be us unless we rethink heat pumps and the 2030 electric car deadline."
Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay, who chairs the Net Zero Scrutiny Group, questioned whether the speed of measures to tackle climate change was "practical" or "affordable".
However, former Conservative minister Sir Simon Clarke supported the government's decision to stick to the 2030 petrol car ban and said it is "driving investment into our country".
But as heatwaves rage across Europe the Green MP Caroline Lucas accused Mr Sunak of being "asleep at the wheel" while the "planet is burning".
And we want to know if YOU agree with the plans to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2030? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.
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