LONDON - British business didn't mince their words Wednesday after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced plans to water down his government's net zero policies.
Energy efficiency targets for rental properties would also be scaled back as would a requirement for homeowners to replace gas boilers with heat pumps."Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency," said Ford UK chief Lisa Brankin.The sector is already facing rising costs due to the country's cost of living crisis, Brexit custom duties and infrastructure for the production of electric vehicles which is still in its infancy.
As a result, the British government is largely subsidising Tata's electric battery factory in the UK, a £4 billion project unveiled to great fanfare this summer. Home Secretary Interior Minister Suella Braverman earlier Wednesday said the government would not "save the planet by bankrupting the British people".