A Press Release from the Office of Sir Bill Wiggin MP.
The Prime Minister yesterday (Wednesday 20th September) set out his Government’s plan to deliver Net Zero.
Rishi Sunak announced changes that mark a more pragmatic approach to hitting Net Zero targets.
Plans include pushing back the deadline for outlawing the purchase of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030 to 2035.
Meanwhile, households will no longer have to replace their oil-fired boiler from 2026.
The new requirement means that households will now have until 2035 at the earliest to source a replacement heating system for when their fossil-fuel boiler breaks down.
Even then a fifth of households will be exempt where these changes are not affordable or practical.
The Government is also increasing the cash grant for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme by 50%, to £7,500.
The Prime Minister was unequivocal that the UK would still hit its international and legal climate obligations.
The Prime Minister said:
“There’s nothing ambitious about simply asserting a goal for a short-term headline without being honest with the public about the tough choices and sacrifices involved and without any meaningful democratic debate about how we get there.
“When you ask most people about climate change, they want to do the right thing. They’re even prepared to make sacrifices.
“But it cannot be right for Westminster to impose such significant costs on working people – especially those who are already struggling to make ends meet – and to interfere so much in people’s way of life.
“This country is proud to be a world leader in reaching Net Zero by 2050. We’ll now have a more pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic approach that eases the burdens on families.”
A full breakdown of the Prime Minister’s announcement can be found here.
Sir Bill Wiggin, Member of Parliament for North Herefordshire, said after the announcement:
“I am delighted to hear that the Prime Minister is taking such a pragmatic approach to hitting our all-important climate targets.
“I know that for many, the previous plans would have meant an immense financial burden that would have been impossible to shoulder.
“I am glad that the Prime Minister agrees with my criticism of the 2026 oil-fired boiler ban which would have been too draconian and come far too soon.
“We are world-leaders in the race to Net Zero but this must not come at the cost of bankrupting the British taxpayer.”
