Following adjustments to green policies, Sunak insists the UK remains on track for 2050 net zero goals, despite warnings from climate experts of potential setbacks.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak remains steadfast in his commitment to achieving the UK’s net zero targets, despite criticism from his own government’s climate advisers labelling his approach as “wishful thinking.”

In a BBC interview, Mr Sunak defended recent changes to green policies, asserting that he has not delayed climate action. His statements follow significant modifications to the UK’s environmental commitments, which the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has condemned as regressive.

The prime minister expressed “confidence” in the UK reaching net zero by 2050. To reinforce his stance, he announced adjustments to key green policies, including a five-year postponement of the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, as well as increased incentives for replacing gas boilers. The changes, seen as a political move to draw clear distinctions from Labour, come as the Conservative Party seeks to regain voter support ahead of the next election.

In recent weeks, Mr Sunak has hinted at a more “pragmatic” approach to net zero, emphasising the costs associated with low-carbon technologies like electric vehicles. However, the CCC had previously warned that the UK was already behind on its net zero commitments, with CEO Chris Stark suggesting the government lacks the necessary policies to meet its legally binding climate objectives.

While Mr Sunak acknowledged that achieving net zero requires more than “wishful thinking,” he argued that previous targets were set without “honest conversations” about the necessary steps. Nevertheless, he faced criticism over his claims of scrapping proposals to increase air fares and tax meat, which were never official policies. This prompted questions from the BBC’s Nick Robinson about whether Mr Sunak was being transparent.

Taking aim at the CCC, Mr Sunak accused the committee of subtly recommending measures like car-pooling mandates and reduced meat consumption. In its 2023 report, the CCC advocated for “low-cost” measures to reduce meat consumption by 20% by 2030, without proposing a tax.

When asked if his approach mirrored former Prime Minister Liz Truss’s tendency to ignore expert advice, Mr Sunak responded that he welcomed diverse opinions and remained “confident” that the UK would reach its targets, even in the face of potential legal challenges.

Despite accusations that these changes are politically motivated, Mr Sunak asserted that his focus is on a long-term vision for the UK. Labour, however, argued that these policy rollbacks would lead to higher long-term costs, with shadow energy secretary Ed Miliband vowing to challenge the Conservatives on climate policies in the upcoming election.

Labour confirmed its commitment to phasing out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, accentuating the divide between the two parties. This year’s extreme weather events have highlighted the urgent need for climate action. Under the Paris Agreement, 197 nations, including the UK, agreed to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C by 2100. Scientists stress that net zero emissions are essential by 2050, though the United Nations has urged countries to expedite these timelines.

While the UK accounts for just 1% of global emissions, it has previously been a leader in carbon reduction efforts. However, Mr Sunak’s policy adjustments have raised concerns about the UK’s climate leadership, with activists and some Conservative MPs questioning his commitment. Former Conservative minister Sir Alok Sharma expressed unease, warning that the UK’s perceived backtracking could influence other nations to reconsider their own commitments.

Former Prime Minister Faces Criticism Over Use of Public Funds After Brief Time in Office

Liz Truss has been claiming from the public fund designated for former prime ministers, despite only serving 49 days as the UK’s leader. The £115,000-a-year Public Duty Cost Allowance is designed to help cover the expenses of running an office and fulfilling public duties after leaving office. However, Truss has already claimed £23,310 in the first five months following her resignation, with further claims expected to be disclosed next year.

This revelation has sparked widespread criticism, particularly from opposition parties. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who had previously argued that Truss should “turn down” the fund given her short tenure, said her actions contradicted her calls for tax cuts. “If Liz Truss wants to cut tax, she should lead by example and stop taking taxpayers’ money,” he said.

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Christine Jardine called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to intervene, describing it as “an outrage” that Truss was benefitting from the fund while families faced financial struggles. “Liz Truss profits from her own failure, and that is unacceptable,” she added.

The Public Duty Cost Allowance is intended to cover costs such as running an office, managing correspondence, and providing support for public engagements. In the 2022/23 financial year, former prime ministers Tony Blair and John Major were the only ones to claim the full £115,000, with Gordon Brown coming close at £114,627.

Truss, whose leadership ended abruptly on October 25, 2022, following her economic crisis and the collapse of her mini-budget, defended her actions a year later. She recently criticised economists and “institutional bureaucracy” for her downfall and hinted at future plans to intervene in Conservative politics.

The Cabinet Office’s financial reports also revealed the cost of Boris Johnson’s taxpayer-funded legal defence in relation to the partygate inquiry, amounting to £263,079. The spending was scrutinised by the National Audit Office, with its chief, Gareth Davies, noting the public interest in whether such legal costs were a legitimate use of taxpayers’ money. While the spending was deemed “not quantitatively material” in the context of the department’s overall finances, Davies suggested it was a “borderline” decision and questioned the justification for using public funds for the former prime minister’s defence.

Labour Leader Emphasises Future Cooperation on Prosperity and Security

Sir Keir Starmer has described his recent meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron as “constructive and positive,” amid growing concerns over the feasibility of his vision for a closer relationship with the EU. Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, stated that the discussions focused on shared interests such as future prosperity and security, outlining his commitment to strengthen UK-France ties if Labour wins the next general election.

The two leaders exchanged gifts during their meeting, with Starmer presenting Macron with a personalised Arsenal football shirt and receiving cufflinks in return. Starmer explained that the talks covered a wide range of global political issues, underscoring the importance of UK-French cooperation for future challenges.

“We had a very constructive and positive meeting, covering many issues,” Starmer told reporters. “This was my chance to emphasise how much I value the relationship between our countries, particularly in areas like security and prosperity. If Labour is elected, we will strengthen this relationship even further.”

Despite this positive encounter, challenges remain in terms of future trade relations. Starmer has previously indicated that Labour would seek a “much better deal” with the EU, particularly focusing on reducing trade barriers through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). However, experts from UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE) caution that renegotiating the TCA will be “very challenging,” as the EU is largely content with the current arrangement.

Anand Menon, director of UKICE, expressed doubts over Starmer’s approach, pointing out that while a desire for a better deal is clear, Labour must offer the EU a compelling reason to reopen negotiations. “The EU is not prioritising the UK in its current dealings, and Labour must refine its proposals to present a more coherent and realistic plan,” Menon stated.

During his visit to Paris, Starmer was accompanied by shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and shadow foreign secretary David Lammy. The Labour leader also met with French business leaders, reiterating his party’s ambition to foster stronger economic ties post-Brexit. He is expected to address a gathering of business representatives, promising that a Labour government would “invest” in the Franco-British relationship.

At the same time, Labour’s shadow defence secretary, John Healey, is in Washington DC, calling for enhanced UK-US cooperation on democratic resilience. Healey’s proposal includes the creation of a new “democratic resilience centre” to monitor and protect shared values, signalling Labour’s broader vision for global security.

This visit is part of a wider strategy to raise Labour’s international profile ahead of the next UK general election, with Starmer having already engaged with global leaders, including Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and officials at Europol in The Hague. The Labour leader’s international outreach underscores his ambition to strengthen the UK’s role on the world stage post-Brexit.

Northern Ireland’s Key Stadium Not Ready in Time for the Tournament, Says Benn

The UK government has confirmed that the redevelopment of Casement Park, located in west Belfast, will not be finished in time for the 2028 UEFA European Championship. Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, explained that despite efforts to meet the tight deadline, the delay and inaction from the previous government rendered the project unfeasible.

Benn described the risk of missing the deadline as “too high,” adding that the scale of the event and the challenges of completing such a large infrastructure project in the given time were insurmountable. He pointed out that, under the previous government, there was a lack of progress in the 18 months leading up to the general election, which left little time to make up for lost ground.

The decision has sparked criticism from local leaders. First Minister Michelle O’Neill labelled the timing of the announcement as “shambolic,” claiming the British government’s handling of the situation was far from acceptable. She urged the UK government to provide an alternative plan for the stadium’s future, emphasising the importance of delivering on past promises to build the stadium.

In response, the Irish government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the project, with Taoiseach Simon Harris offering to continue discussions about providing further financial assistance, although he stated that any additional support would depend on the direction taken by the UK government and Northern Ireland’s devolved government.

O’Neill has called for clarity on the plans moving forward, particularly in light of the financial and political challenges surrounding the stadium’s reconstruction. Meanwhile, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly raised concerns over the estimated £400 million cost of the project, which could be difficult to meet amid budgetary pressures.

As the situation evolves, local officials are now calling for urgent discussions to secure a legacy for Northern Ireland’s football community, despite the setback of missing out on the original deadline for Euros 2028.