BACK OF THE NET Rishi Sunak hints at a green tax climbdown – insisting Net Zero must not bring ‘more costs’ to Brits

RISHI Sunak today hinted at a major green tax climbdown, insisting Net Zero must not “unnecessarily give people more hassle and more costs in their lives”.

The comments came amid day of mixed messages over whether a ban on new petrol and diesel car sales could be pushed back from 2030.

Rishi Sunak hinted at a major climbdown on green taxes today

During a visit to a new housing development in the West Midlands, he didn't definitively rule out pushing back a 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars

Earlier today Development Minister Andrew Mitchell refused to rule out a u-turn on the policy

He then added: "I'm afraid I can't prophesy for the future.

"I'm saying that it is in place and it remains in place."

The government is undergoing a major re-think of its green policies following last week's by-election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

In West London the Tories scraped victory because of huge local resentment towards Sadiq Khan's Ulez expansion.

As the PM faces dire polls, party strategists believe softening green rules set to cost hard-up households a pretty penny could improve Tory ratings ahead of the next general election.

The 2030 petrol and diesel car ban is said to be up for discussion.

So too are low traffic neighbourhoods and the green levies attached to energy bills.

However, Mr Sunak still wants to stick by the wider goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050.

Meanwhile, in Labour a major row has erupted over green policies.

Leader Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Angela Rayner both admitted Ulez played a significant part in the party losing Uxbridge.

But the London Mayor is determined for the expansion to go ahead.