Boris Johnson news: UK unveils plan for fully decarbonised power by 2035 in delayed net-zero strategy

All vehicles in the UK will require “zero-emissions capability” by 2035, the government has said in its much-delayed Net Zero Strategy, which sets out plans for Britain to be powered entirely by clean electricity come the same year.

In the document, published on Tuesday, ministers commit £620m to zero-emission vehicle grants and more infrastructure for electric cars in residential areas.

Boris Johnson said his strategy for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 shows how “we can build back greener, without so much as a hair shirt in sight”.

Announcing the long-awaited plans in the Commons today, business minister Greg Hands told MPs if they did not “take action now, we will continue to see the worst effects of climate change” – despite the measures being revealed just 12 days before the Cop26 climate summit.

Labour figures were quick to attack the report, saying it doesn’t go nearly far enough to combat the climate crisis. Clive Lewis, the MP for Norwich South, branded it a “burn now, pay later document” and said its entire 368-page contents is filled with “strategy that isn’t fit for purpose”.

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Boris Johnson told to end long delay to social media abuse crackdown after killing of David Amess

Key points

• Police intervene as Gove approached by anti-lockdown activists

• Minister warns ‘we must take action now’ in delayed net zero announcement...

• ...before announcing all vehicles in UK to be ‘zero-emissions capable’ by 2035

• ‘Burn now, pay later’: Labour condemns ‘not fit for purpose’ strategy

• Heat pump scheme does not include funds for ‘every house,’ minister admits

• What is government’s plan to replace old gas boilers?

07:40 , Sam Hancock

Good morning, and welcome to The Independent’s rolling political coverage. Stay tuned as we continue to bring you the latest developments from the murder of Tory MP Sir David Amess as well as highlights from today’s Global Investment Summit.

PM urged to end delayed social media abuse crackdown

07:47 , Sam Hancock

MPs are urging Boris Johnson to bring forward the long delayed Online Harms Bill in a bid to crackdown on social media abuse after the killing of David Amess. The law was promised as long ago as 2019 but there is still no date for it to be launched.

During tributes to the slain Southend West MP, fellow Conservative Mark Francois said the legislation must now be put “on to the statute book” – and proposed that it be called “David’s law”.

Earlier, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle made the same criticism – as he revealed a car bomb threat – saying: “If it was up to me and I was in charge of legislation, I would have done something.”

There are concerns Nadine Dorries’ appointment as culture secretary in the recent Cabinet reshuffle will mean the Bill is further delayed, after the former SoS Olivier Dowden had pledged it would be introduced by the end of December, reports our deputy political editor Rob Merrick.

Boris Johnson told to end delay to social media abuse crackdown after Amess killing

Britain will not ‘pitchfork away’ investment from China – Johnson

07:49 , Sam Hancock

Britain will not “pitchfork away” investment from China despite ongoing differences with Beijing over human rights and Hong Kong, Boris Johnson has said.

Ahead of the Global Investment Summit in London, the PM said China would continue to play a “gigantic part” in UK economic life for years to come, writes Gavin Cordon.

At the same time, he insisted the Government would not be “naive” about allowing China access to the UK’s critical national infrastructure (CNI) such as nuclear power or the 5G communications network.

Britain musn’t ‘pitchfork away’ investment from China says Johnson

Normal Commons business to resume after day of tributes to David Amess

07:55 , Sam Hancock

Normal business will resume in the House of Commons on Tuesday, following a day of poignant tributes to Sir David Amess.

The Tory MP for Southend West was fatally stabbed on Friday during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex.

During an emotional day in Westminster on Monday, it was announced that Southend will be granted city status in recognition of Sir David’s decades-long campaign for the seaside town to be given the honour.

But as the Commons returns to a regular schedule, it is likely that the security of MPs in the wake of Sir David’s death will still be on the minds of many.

Home secretary Priti Patel told the Commons yesterday a review of policing for politicians is “concluding literally in the next few days”.

House of Commons schedule for Tuesday

08:03 , Sam Hancock

Here’s a quick look at what’s happening in the Commons today:

11.30am Health and social care questions

12.30pm Urgent questions and statements

A 10-minute rule motion on Bereavement Leave and Pay (stillborn and miscarried babies)

A motion under the Coronavirus Act 2020 relating to the renewal of temporary provisions

Opposition Day Debate on business rates

A short debate on regulation of investments in the fossil fuel industry

For a full Parliamentary schedule, including sessions in Westminster Hall and the House of Lords, head here.

Trade secretary shares experience of ‘online trolling’

08:19 , Sam Hancock

More stories of MPs being threatened with violence are emerging this morning.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the international trade secretary, has said she once received threats to burn down her house with her children inside.

It comes amid conversations around MPs’ safety following the murder of Sir David Amess.

Ms Trevelyan told LBC radio:

“The online trolling that I’ve had, I’ve had a certain amount, I’ve had to have someone arrested who was threatening to burn down my house when my children were in it.

“These things are ghastly and entirely wrong, and our police forces work incredibly hard to support us as parliamentarians and to protect our families, but we are going to keep looking at that.”

MPs jump to Johnson’s defence amid lockdown breach accusations

08:32 , Sam Hancock

Downing Street and Tory MPs are working hard to bat away allegations Boris and Carrie Johnson broke Covid lockdown rules in December to spend time with a friend at Christmas.

It follows reports the political campaigner and Home Office adviser Nimco Ali stayed in No 11 over the festive break.

While insisting no rules were broken in the process, No 10 appeared to admit Ms Ali, who is godmother to the Johnsons’ son, Wilfred, was at Downing Street over the Christmas period as part of their “childcare support bubble”.

Asked about the unfolding situation on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, international trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said she had “no doubt” the PM had stayed within the realms of his own lockdown rules.

She also said the pair “had every right” to enlist a friend “to help with childcare”, citing Mr Johnson’s busy schedule.

Challenged over whether she was implying Mrs Johnson would have been working at the same time her husband might have been, Ms Trevelyan stressed she “did not have all the details” but that Ms Ali was a “dedicated godmother” and would have done what she could to help out.

Lucas: Flailing boiler upgrade scheme ‘bad signal’ ahead of Cop26

08:44 , Sam Hancock

Caroline Lucas has condemned the government’s boiler upgrade scheme as “yet another of Boris Johnson’s big flagship policies that, when you start to look at some of the details, they’re simply not there”.

It comes following suggestions this morning that the move to ban all gas boilers in Britain over the coming years will not be mandatory, as previously thought, but rather an option for households who want to be more green.

International trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan described the scheme as “a cost-neutral opportunity” for “those who really want to crack-on”.

Ms Lucas, Westminster’s only Green Party MP, told Sky News the “backtrack” sends a “a very bad signal” ahead of the Cop26 climate summit, due to begin in Glasgow on 31 October.

Watch: CCTV shows suspect in stabbing of MP David Amess

08:55 , Sam Hancock

PM ‘running a country’ makes childcare hard, Trevelyan says amid lockdown row

08:57 , Sam Hancock

Following my earlier post (8.32am), the Daily Mirror’s Lizzy Buchan has more lines from Anne-Marie Trevelyan about the Johnsons’ possible breach of Covid rules.

Give teenagers second Covid jab to curb infections, ministers told

09:10 , Sam Hancock

Young teenagers should be given a second Covid vaccination – as in most European countries – to curb a worrying surge in infections, Neil Ferguson has said.

Case rates are rising most sharply in teenagers, but 12 to 15-year-olds will receive only a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine under current plans, the leading epidemiologist pointed out, writes our deputy political editor Rob Merrick.

“Most other European countries are ahead of us in vaccinating teenagers and they are giving them two doses, not just one dose,” said Prof Ferguson, of Imperial College London. “And we know that two doses really are needed to block infection and to prevent transmission.”

Give young teenagers second Covid jab to curb infections surge, Neil Ferguson says

Trevelyan opens Global Investment Summit with vision of ‘clean green future’

09:22 , Sam Hancock

Our economics editor Anna Isaac reports from the Global Investment Summit:

Anne-Marie Trevelyan kicked off proceedings at London’s Science museum by laying out a vision for future investment in the UK.

“It is time to put our reliance on carbon as a source of energy behind us and look to our clean green future,“ she said, speaking after an investment of nearly £10bn in a host of projects was trialled by Number 10.

“We are the fastest growing economy in the G7 and flying the flag for free and fair trade as the president of the G7 this summer,” she added.

Noting projects ranging from electric cars in Swindon to Tees Valley, she sought to link the summit to the government's flagship levelling up policy: “Our historic industrial heartlands are right at the heart of our green industrial revolution.”

Attendees spotted by The Independent include Britain’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, and London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan. Next up the prime minister...

PM delivers opening speech at investment summit

09:38 , Sam Hancock

Boris Johnson is delivering his opening speech at London’s Global Investment Summit in which, among other things, he spoke of “greed” being a good way to save the planet.

Innovation and capitalism needed to tackle climate crisis - PM

09:41 , Sam Hancock

Here’s some more from our economics editor, Anna Isaac, who watched the address live:

Boris Johnson told global investors this morning that the lessons from developing the Covid vaccine must now be applied to climate change.

“We have forged an entirely new set of armour for our species” with the Covid-19 vaccine, he said, adding the world economy is surging with new demand, and “vaccine-induced confidence”.

“In the end it was free market capitalism in the great democracies of the world” that created vaccines.

Now, that same innovation and capitalism will be needed to tackle climate change, he told investors. “We must mobilise the markets”.

I can deploy billions with approval of the chancellor, he quipped, but you can deploy trillions, he told his audience.

“I know that there are some who say that we are going too fast”, but there is a force out there that is stronger than government and business, “that force is the market, that market is going green”, and people want to go green, he said.

“This Cop26 must be the moment the government joins hands with the private sector,” he said. We should be using this moment, collectively as governments, to “lever in the trillions of the market” to tackle climate change, he added.

Johnson: Private sector ‘trillions’ key to tackling climate crisis

10:04 , Sam Hancock

The private sector must spend “trillions” on tackling the climate emergency, Boris Johnson has told business leaders – saying government “can’t do it on its own”.

Addressing a Global Investment Summit, the PM extolled the unique power of “free market capitalism” to help the UK and the world reach ‘net zero’ carbon emissions, reports our deputy political editor Rob Merrick.

“We must mobilise the markets, we must bring in the private sector,” Mr Johnson told the summit in London, with just 12 days until the crucial Cop26 summit.

Private sector ‘trillions’ are key to tackling climate crisis, Boris Johnson says

PM and Bill Gates launch £400m partnership to boost green investment

10:30 , Sam Hancock

Boris Johnson and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates have announced a £400m partnership to boost green investment to tackle the climate crisis.

The PM told the Global Investment Summit at London’s Science Museum that the government had committed £200m, with the American businessman matching the figure.

In a subsequent statement, Mr Gates said:

“Our partnership with the United Kingdom will accelerate the deployment of these critical climate solutions, helping to make them more affordable and accessible.

“In order to achieve net-zero emissions, we need to reduce the costs of clean technologies so they can compete with and replace the high-emitting products we use today - I call this difference in price the green premium.”

Shapps discusses getting ‘fleet’ of planes ‘back in air’ as PM stresses ‘green is good’

10:44 , Sam Hancock

While Boris Johnson talks up the green revolution, here’s what transport secretary Grant Shapps is telling the aviation industry.

Mr Shapps said it is “imperative” that the aviation sector has a “safe and sustainable” recovery from Covid next year, PA reports.

Speaking at the Airport Operators Association’s annual conference, he said:

“Global travel next year is predicted to grow significantly, coming after the worst two years on record. That will provide some welcome relief.

“So, now it’s time to look forward to rebooting tourism and trade, to getting the fleet back up in the air where they belong, welcoming passengers back to busy airports, and securing an aviation recovery that is safe and sustainable.

“That’s more than a hope for 2022. It’s an imperative and one that this government is committed to achieving, together with you.”

Watch live: Industry leaders give evidence about supply chain issues

10:50 , Sam Hancock

Govt measures to ease supply issues not working, RHA boss tells MPs

10:54 , Sam Hancock

An evidence session is underway, in which industry leaders are telling MPs about the ongoing supply chain crisis affecting the UK.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) told the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy committee that the shortage of lorry drivers and resultant disruption is “not visibly getting better”, despite government measures aimed at alleviating the issue.

Duncan Buchanan, director of policy at the RHA, told the Commons committee:

“Things are very challenged at the moment.

“There are widespread shortages of lorry drivers, which are leading to delays and frustrated trips.

“Among our members we are still getting reports that this hasn’t eased at all.

“Things are not visibly getting better at this stage and I know there are a number of measures that have been put in place - stepping up training, stepping up tests - but on the ground that isn’t having much of an effect.”

Man arrested over Labour MP death threat released on bail

11:04 , Sam Hancock

A man arrested on suspicion of sending a death threat to Labour MP Chris Bryant has been released on bail.

The 76-year-old, from Pontycymer, Bridgend, was taken in for questioning after a report was made by the 59-year-old politician on 16 October.

Mr Bryant revealed yesterday he called police after receiving a death threat via email.

It happened soon after Tory MP Sir David Amess was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery in Essex.

The Rhondda MP said the level of vitriol was higher than he had known it in 20 years in Parliament and said his constituency office has been targeted in the last year by anti-vaccine and Brexit protesters.

Opinion: ‘Government needs to deliver urgently on climate investment’

11:15 , Sam Hancock

Shadow business and energy secretary Ed Miliband writes about the government’s need to “stop delaying” and get on with investing in fixing the climate crisis.

This government has been good at setting climate targets. but incredibly weak at delivery. They have perfected the art form of climate delay, of pledging to act but just not yet. This week, we are promised this will change, with delivery plans, strategies on investment and a plan to transform our homes.

The truth about the climate transition is that if we act, we can transform our country – not just tackling the emergency as we must, but creating a fairer Britain with good jobs at decent wages, tackling fuel poverty, and providing green spaces and a decent public transport system for all.

Our fundamental test, therefore, is whether what the government is putting forward amounts to a green coat of paint on an unfair, unjust Britain, or a truly transformative plan.

Opinion: The government needs to deliver urgently on climate investment

Number of lorry drivers in Britain plunges by 53,000 in four years

11:23 , Sam Hancock

An ONS report underlines issues facing the crisis-stricken haulage industry, with an ageing workforce, a shortage of EU nationals and mounting costs and red tape in the wake of Brexit among the most significant issues.

The figures also showed the impact of the pandemic on the number of EU drivers working in the UK, with a 12,000 or 30 per cent plunge since 2017. The number of UK lorry drivers has fallen by 15 per cent, or 42,000, in the same time.

Most of the decline has been seen in the past two years, particularly during the pandemic, which has taken its toll on EU drivers willing to work in the UK.

Critics question why PM not delivering pre-Cop26 net zero statement

11:34 , Sam Hancock

Our deputy political editor, Rob Merrick, questions why a junior minister is giving the government’s “crucial” statement on Britain’s ‘net zero’ strategy. “Where’s the PM?” he asks.

Irish broadcaster shuts down Farage: ‘You haven’t got a clue’

11:45 , Sam Hancock

An Irish broadcaster has been praised for shutting down Nigel Farage over his “entertaining” knowledge of the country’s history.

The former leader of Ukip and the Brexit Party took his anti-EU agitating onto Ireland’s airwaves on Monday, questioning why the nation was still part of the bloc during an appearance on RTE One’s Claire Byrne Live.

Speaking to Ms Byrne about the effects that Brexit has had on Britain and Northern Ireland, Mr Farage questioned why the Irish had fought the British for “500 often very bloody, difficult years.”

Ms Byrne said she thought viewers would be “entertained” by his remarks, writes Eleanor Sly.

Irish presenter shuts down Nigel Farage: ‘You haven’t got a clue’

Stormont discusses death of veteran on trial for Troubles shooting

11:51 , Sam Hancock

UUP leader Doug Beattie has raised the death of army veteran Dennis Hutchings as a matter of the day at the start of Tuesday’s sitting of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Mr Beattie extended his condolences to the families of Hutchings as well as John Pat Cunningham, a young man shot by the army in 1974, whose death the veteran was in Northern Ireland to stand trial on a charge of attempted murder.

It comes after NI’s Public Prosecution Service (PPS) defended its decision to prosecute Hutchings, who died at a Belfast hospital on Monday after testing positive for Covid-19.

Mr Beattie told MLAs that just as the family of Mr Cunningham deserves truth and justice, so does the Hutchings family:

“People need to understand or find out why his case was elevated above all other cases, why his case suddenly ended up at the top of the pile ... and this goes to the heart of some of the issues that we are having to deal with in what is a difficult legacy process which is affecting our present here-now.

“That is something we do have to look into, it is something that we do need to examine, to be fair to the family to understand why this was elevated ... and we do need to find out what was in the public interest to bring this case forward.”

RHA brands government fuel leak claim ‘unequivocally’ false

12:02 , Sam Hancock

PoliticsHome’s Adam Payne reports the following from the BEIS committee on supply issues:

Transport secretary Grant Shapps previously claimed the entire fuel crisis was a “manufactured situation” caused by a leak to the media by the Road Hauliers Association (RHA).

‘Critical’ ministers speed up Covid boosters

12:19 , Tom Batchelor

Ministers have been warned that it is “critical” that the Covid booster programme is accelerated in order to protect people as immunity wanes.

Professor Neil Ferguson, from Imperial College London, who is also a leading member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said there is a need to speed up boosters and the vaccination of teenagers, who he suggested should be given two doses of a jab to block infection and transmission.

It came as NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said that, to “make the most of half-term”, the national booking service will be open for 12 to 15-year-olds to book their jabs at existing vaccination centres.

Covid-19 cases in the UK are at their highest level for almost three months, with the seven-day average standing at 44,145 cases per day.

Shortage of water presents ‘existential’ threat to UK, government warned

12:36 , Tom Batchelor

Hotter summers and less predictable rainfall as a result of climate changewill create an increased risk of droughts and serious water shortages in the UK, the Environment Agency has said.

In a stark warning ahead of the Cop26 summit in Glasgow, the government agency said there had to be far greater focus on the threat to water supply as the country begins to feel the impact of the climate crisis, writes Adam Forrest.

Sir James Bevan, chief executive of Environment Agency, said major investments are needed to avoid the so-called ‘Jaws of Death’ – the point on water companies’ planning charts where demand outstrips supply.

“Good water quality is essential – but the right water quantity is existential,” he said. “We need as much emphasis on the latter in the future as we have now on the former.”

Water shortage presents ‘existential’ threat to UK, government warned

‘Terrifying’ levels of inflation in hospitality industry, warns food and drink boss

12:56 , Tom Batchelor

The chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation has stressed that there is “enough food” but getting some products to shelves is still being impacted by supply challenges.

Appearing before MPs on the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy committee, Ian Wright stressed that soaring food inflation, amid rising wage, energy and commodity costs, poses a particularly large challenge.

“The committee really needs to think seriously about inflation,” he said.

“In hospitality, inflation is running between 14 per cent and 18 per cent, which is terrifying.

“If the prime minister is, as I know he is, serious about levelling up, inflation is a bigger scourge than almost anything because it discriminates against the poor.”

Government’s Net Zero Strategy will support ‘440,000 jobs’, claims minister

13:02 , Tom Batchelor

The Government’s Net Zero Strategy: Heat and Building Strategy “will support up to 440,000 jobs across sectors and across all parts of the UK in 2030”, BEIS Greg Hands has said as he addressed MPs in the Commons.

Making a statement, he said: “This is not just an environmental transition, it represents an important economic change too.

“We will fully embrace this new green industrial revolution helping the UK to level up as we build back better and get to the front of the global race to go green.

“We need to capitalise on this to ensure British industries and workers benefit. I can therefore announce that the strategy will support up to 440,000 jobs across sectors and across all parts of the UK in 2030.”

Floral tributes to Sir David Amess moved to constituency office

13:07 , Tom Batchelor

Floral tributes to MP Sir David Amess are being moved to his constituency office from outside the church where he was stabbed to death.

A council vehicle arrived at Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex on Tuesday lunchtime and staff dressed in suits carefully loaded some of the tributes into the back of the van.

Signs displayed outside the church by Southend Borough Council said: “Thank you for paying your respects to Sir David Amess MP.

“If you have already left a tribute here, please note that we have carefully moved these to Iveagh Hall ... Sir David’s constituency office.

“If you are here to lay flowers, we would respectfully ask you to take your flowers to this address.”

The notice said that a book of condolence is also available at Iveagh Hall and at the Civic Centre in Southend.

Government ‘keeping a very close eye’ on new Covid variant

13:17 , Tom Batchelor

No 10 has said it is keeping a close eye on the AY4.2 coronavirus variant but insisted there is no evidence it spreads more easily.

The PM’s official spokesman said: “It’s something we’re keeping a very close eye on.

“There’s no evidence to suggest that this variant ... the AY4.2 one ... is more easily spread. There’s no evidence for that but as you would expect we’re monitoring it closely and won’t hesitate to take action if necessary.”

PM spokesman comments on ‘tragic’ Hutchings case

13:22 , Tom Batchelor

Downing Street said the “tragic” case of Dennis Hutchings illustrated the problems of pursuing historic allegations through the courts.

The Army veteran was being prosecuted over a Troubles shooting but died in hospital in Belfast on Monday.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “Our sincere condolences go to the family, friends and loved ones of Dennis Hutchings.

“The Ministry of Defence supported Mr Hutchings throughout his trial with legal representation and pastoral care, and that will continue to be offered to his family.”

The spokesman said “it’s not for me to comment on the court proceedings” but added: “This tragic case highlights that the criminal justice approach broadly is no longer working and that is why we are committed to introducing new legislation to bring greater certainty for all communities, including the veterans and families of victims.”

Minister warns ‘we must take action now’ in delayed net zero announcement

13:25 , Sam Hancock

Our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn reports from Westminster:

Speaking in the Commons as the government published its long-delayed strategy for reaching the 2050 net zero target, minister Greg Hands warned MPs: “If we don’t take action now we will continue to see the worst effects of climate change.”

“We’ve already travelled a significant way down the path to net zero between 1990 and 2019,” he said. “We grew our economy by 78 per cent and cut our emissions by 44 per cent, decarbonising faster than any other G7 country.”

In a statement just 12 days ahead of the critical climate summit in Glasgow — Cop26 — the business minister said the government must “continue to take decisive action” to reach net zero.

“I’m pleased to announce two major government initiatives: the net zero strategy and the heat and building strategy.

“This is not just an environmental transition, it represents an important economic change too, echoing even the explosion in industry and export seen in the very first Industrial Revolution over 250 years ago.”

Mr Hands said switching to cleaner sources of energy will also help reduce Britain’s reliance on fossil fuels and “bring down costs down the line” for consumers.

“2021 is a vital year for action on climate change. In just two weeks, the UK Government will host the crucial United Nations Cop26 conference in Glasgow. As the PM has said, it needs to be a turning point for humanity.”

However, Ed Miliband, the shadow business secretary, said the plan “falls short”, adding: “While there is modest short term investment, there is nothing like the commitment we believe is required”.

UK to be powered by clean electricity by 2035, according to Net Zero Strategy

13:43 , Sam Hancock

Boris Johnson’s government has said it will require all vehicles in the UK to be “zero-emissions capable” by 2035, as it sets out its plan for reaching the 2050 net zero target.

The Net Zero Strategy document published on Tuesday has set out plans for Britain to be entirely powered entirely by clean electricity by 2035, reports Adam Forrest.

Ministers have also promised to make a final investment decision on building a new, large-scale nuclear power plant by the end of this parliament.

The prime minister said his strategy for achieving net zero carbon emissions over the next few decades shows how “we can build back greener – without so much as a hair shirt in sight”.

All cars must be ‘zero-emissions capable’ by 2035, says government

Key takeaways from Net Zero Strategy

13:53 , Sam Hancock

What does the new climate document say, and what does it actually mean?

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock takes a closer look:

Key takeaways from the Net Zero Strategy unveiled by the government

14:03 , Sam Hancock

ITV News’ Anushka Asthana has compiled a nice Twitter thread, in which she highlights some key quotes from the Net Zero Strategy.

‘Burn now, pay later’: Labour condemns ‘not fit for purpose’ strategy

14:12 , Sam Hancock

A string of Labour MPs have attacked the Tories’ newly-unveiled Net Zero Strategy, with one saying its main two issues are both “net and zero”.

Clive Lewis, the MP for Norwich South, branded it a “burn now, pay later document” and said its 368-page contents is filled with “strategy that isn’t fit for purpose”.

He said:

“There’s two problems with the government’s net zero strategy: net and zero. Zero because it isn’t zero, we know there are sectors beyond 2050 like aviation, that will be pumping out millions of tonnes into the atmosphere, and net because we know they are relying on negative emissions technologies which, frankly, are based on science fiction, of which there is no prospect of mass rollout, and we are banking on this to rescue us from the climate crisis.

“This is a burn now, pay later document and strategy that isn’t fit for purpose.”

Meanwhile, Labour chair of the Commons BEIS committee Darren Jones said:

“People across the country will want to know whether the promises made today will actually be delivered or once again result in failure.”

Greg Hands, who unveiled the document, responded: “In the last 30 years to have reduced emissions so successfully whilst actually achieving economic growth, I think, is a record overall of success....This new scheme will go with the flow, it’ll be simpler, easier to administer.”

Costs of global climate inaction outweighs action taken – Treasury

14:23 , Sam Hancock

A review, published by the Treasury alongside the government’s Net Zero Strategy, said “the costs of global inaction significantly outweigh the costs of action” to tackle climate change.

But “as with all economic transitions, ultimately the costs and benefits of the transition will pass through to households through the labour market, prices and asset values”.

The document also said it was not possible to forecast how individual household finances would be hit over the course of a 30-year transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

But it did highlight the impact on the public finances: “There will be demands on public spending, but the biggest impact comes from the erosion of tax revenues from fossil fuel-related activity.”

Governments “may need to consider changes to existing taxes and new sources of revenue” rather than relying on increased borrowing, it advised.

Net zero plans to blow £37bn ‘black hole in road taxes’

14:35 , Sam Hancock

Revenue from road taxes will all-but disappear as the UK goes green, the Treasury has conceded – blowing a £37bn black hole in its budget unless “new sources” are found.

Rishi Sunak’s “net zero review” makes no proposals for plugging that huge gap, amid widespread expectations that a pay-per-mile “road pricing” system is inevitable, as electric cars replace petrol and diesel, reports our deputy political editor Rob Merrick.

But it acknowledges “significant and permanent fiscal pressure” on the nation’s finances, which is unlikely to be offset even by higher carbon taxes on industry.

Net zero to blow £37bn black hole in road taxes without ‘new sources’, Treasury says

Raab ‘repeatedly warned about swift Taliban takeover of Kabul’

14:41 , Sam Hancock

In cased you missed this from earlier, diplomatic cables have revealed the British ambassador to Afghanistan repeatedly warned Dominic Raab Kabul would swiftly fall into Taliban hands.

Newly uncovered telegrams show Sir Laurie Bristow emphasised the Islamist militant group was seizing cities across Afghanistan and was on the brink of taking back total control of the country, despite the Foreign Office claiming the takeover came as a surprise.

Mr Raab, then foreign secretary, has previously been accused of being “asleep at the wheel” amid the Taliban surge, writes Thomas Kingsley.

Dominic Raab was repeatedly warned Taliban would swiftly take over Kabul, cables show

Watch: Insulate Britain protester tied to railing by furious driver

14:50 , Sam Hancock

Boiler scheme does not include plans for ‘every house,’ minister admits

14:54 , Sam Hancock

More on the much-discussed heat pump alternative to boilers now.

While taking questions about the government’s Net Zero Strategy in the Commons, business minister Greg Hands signalled the plan to upgrade UK boilers does not include funds for every single house to be provided with a heat pump.

Instead, Mr Hands said, it will show a “signal” to the private sector and kickstart that market.

Responding to Labour former minister Hilary Benn’s question about ensuring “all of the households in our communities are able to make the transition to a zero carbon future”, Mr Hands said:

“We remain absolutely committed to our existing target of 600,000 homes per annum having a heat pump by the year 2028. The scheme announced today shows that direction of travel. We are not saying this is a scheme that is going to provide a heat pump for every house.

“This is a scheme which will kickstart that market. We’ve already seen really positive reactions. I mentioned the reaction from Octopus Energy and others in the sector, who said actually overnight, that they think that they can deliver an equivalent price.

“That’s where the opportunity for [Mr Benn’s] and my constituents lie, not in the government coming along replacing everybody’s gas boiler, but actually by the government sending a signal kickstarting that market, showing a signal that we want the private sector to respond positively.”

Doctors Without Borders to give evidence against Patel’s boat-turning proposal

15:01 , Sam Hancock

Government ‘shafting’ Scotland with new net zero plans, claim SNP

15:16 , Sam Hancock

Back to reaction to the Net Zero Strategy announcement now.

SNP business spokesman Stephen Flynn accused Boris Johnson’s government of “shafting” Scotland after the new net zero plans revealed Holyrood will miss out on funding for a new carbon capture facility.

Mr Flynn, the MP for for Aberdeen South, said it showed ministers “were repeating the same mistake” they made in 2015 when the plug was pulled “on a billion pounds of carbon capture and storage investment in Peterhead”.

“A betrayal of the northeast of Scotland by pulling the rug out from underneath the Acorn Project. He knows that Scotland cannot meet its net zero ambitions without carbon capture and underground storage. So can I ask him, why is he shafting Scotland?”

Energy minister Greg Hands, taking questions, responded:

“He missed the fact that I explained the basis behind the decision. The government policy has always been clear that there’d be two industrial clusters by the mid-2020s, before by 2030 at the latest, we’ve announced the Acorn Cluster as a reserve.

Heat pumps: What is government’s plan to replace old gas boilers?

15:24 , Sam Hancock

Following my earlier post (2.45pm), Zoe Tidman has laid out what the government’s heat pump scheme actually entails.

The government said new £5,000 grants will be available to households to help them to install low-carbon technologies, including heat pumps, from next April in a bid to encourage people to replace their old gas boilers.

The plans aim to make heat pumps – which run on electricity and work like a fridge in reverse to extract energy from the air or ground – no more expensive to install than a traditional boiler.

But environmentalists have criticised the three-year scheme, which would pay for one in 250 boilers to be replaced, as not going far enough.

How to replace your old gas boiler with a heat pump

Climate Change Committee praises net zero plans: ‘We have a plan’

15:33 , Sam Hancock

Despite some negative reaction to the government’s net zero announcement today, the Climate Change Committee gave a positive initial response.

Chris Stark, chief executive of the advisory group, described it as a “substantial step forward, which lays out clearly the government’s ambitions to cut emissions across the economy over the coming 15 years and beyond”.

Put simply, he said: “We didn’t have a plan before, now we do.”

Mr Stark also praised the strategy for providing “much more clarity about what lies ahead for businesses and individuals” and what is needed over the “coming decades to deliver a net zero nation” – a goal the government has committed to achieving by 2050.

“The critical next step is turning words into deeds,” he added.

PM must scrap plans to ban future Troubles prosecutions – campaigner

15:43 , Sam Hancock

Let’s step away from the Net Zero Strategy for a moment. A man whose son was murdered by loyalist paramilitaries in north Belfast in 1997 said Boris Johnson must scrap plans to ban future prosecutions related to the Troubles.

Raymond McCord, father of Raymond McCord Jr, made the remarks following a meeting at Westminster on Wednesday, which he said “couldn’t have gone better”.

“In the wake of what’s happened here today at Westminster, for us and the sake of democracy and truth and justice, [Mr Johnson] has to take these proposals away. They have to be scrapped.”

Looking ahead, he said:

“We feel more hopeful to see the support. Six weeks ago people wouldn’t have dreamt that this was going to happen. Look what it has built into in a matter of weeks in support. And that’s just from nine people, nine individuals, getting together.

“You think what all the victims, if they get together in Northern Ireland, can do.”

Watch: PM says private sector 'trillions' key to tackling climate crisis

15:50 , Sam Hancock

Police intervene as Gove approached by anti-lockdown activists

15:54 , Sam Hancock

Michael Gove had to be escorted by police today after demonstrators involved in an anti-lockdown protest attempted to surround him in the street.

The communities secretary was approached by a number of people with video cameras as he walked through central London, with footage shared on social media showing the Cabinet minister quickly being encircled by police officers who moved the protesters back.

It comes amid concerns over security for MPs following the fatal stabbing of Southend West MP Sir David Amess last week, who was killed while delivering a constituency surgery.

Mr Gove, who was carrying a bag, a file and a drink at the time, was asked by an officer where he was going.

He pointed down the street and officers then put themselves between the MP and protesters as they helped him to make his way into a nearby building.

15:56 , Sam Hancock

Following my last post, Holly Bancroft has more on the “ambush” involving Michael Gove.

Michael Gove ambushed by anti-vax protesters as they push past police

16:00 , Sam Hancock

That’s it from us on the politics blog for today, thanks for following along. You can follow the latest news on The Independent’s homepage.

Be sure to check back tomorrow morning when we’ll continue to bring you the latest updates from inside Westminster and beyond.