Badenoch says net zero 'can't just work for the metropolitan bubble' as Business Secretary denies new policy is a 'U-turn'
Kemi Badenoch has said the goal of reaching net zero cannot just work for the "metropolitan bubble"
PA
Kemi Badenoch has said the goal of reaching net zero cannot just work for the "metropolitan bubble".
The Business Secretary said she "passionately" wants to reach zero emissions by the UK's goal of 2050 but said there needs to be "more transparency and honesty about how we get there".
Her comments came after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a major watering down of the UK's climate policies in a speech yesterday.
Speaking to GB News, she denied that Rishi Sunak's recent policy announcement is a "U-turn".
WATCH NOW: Badenoch insists net zero announcement was not a U-turn
The Business Secretary said: "This is not a U-turn - this is making sure that we do this in a way that is fair and proportionate, that people can actually help make this transition.
"The transition is the right thing to do. We don't want to be reliant on autocratic countries for oil.
"We don't want to be reliant for every single thing around electric vehicles.
"So this is about making sure this is being done in a proportionate way, which is absolutely correct."
She explained: "You look at how the economics of an electric vehicle have changed since Russia's war in Ukraine - it costs more now to charge them up.
"Supply chains are a lot more fragmented. We need to think about policies that we put in place and they're being implemented to make sure that people can actually absorb the cost. "
Speaking to the BBC, she added that the transition to zero emissions by 2050 must work for "everybody, not just the metropolitan bubble."
Sunak used his speech yesterday to promise to bring an end to "heavy-handed policies", including taxes on eating meat, taxes to discourage flying, being forced to sort your rubbish into seven different bins and compulsory car sharing.
WATCH NOW: Sunak unveils 'new approach' to net zero
Rishi Sunak delivers speech outlining new cli
He said the UK is "proud to be a world leader in reaching net zero by 2015 - but we simply won't achieve it until we change".
The Prime Minister said the new approach will be "more realistic" and "ease the burden" on families.
He said: "In a democracy, this is the only realistic path to net zero.
"Consent, not imposition. That's how we'll turn the challenge of net zero into the greatest opportunity and the greatest achievement of our life time."
Sunak added: "We are going to change the way our politics works."
But he ruled out holding a referendum on net zero, saying: “I think everyone’s had enough of referendums, quite frankly. But I think the principle of consent is important... We’re going to get to net zero but we’re going to do it in a fair and proportionate way.”
Asked by GB News how much money the measures would save ordinary people, Sunak said it would save families "thousands of pounds".
He announced that the Government would "ease the transition to electric vehicles", saying people will be able to buy and sell petrol and diesel cars until 2035. This is an extension from the initial deadline of 2030.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a major watering down of the UK's climate policies in a speech yesterday
PA
Sunak explained that it should be "you, the consumer" making the decision to switch to electric, not the Government "forcing your hand".
He also announced that the transition to heat pumps will be slowed down, allowing households until 2035 to switch to heat pumps.
Sunak described the new approach as "more pragmatic", describing it as the "only real path to net zero".