His plan to water down green targets include:

• • Proposed ban on diesel and petrol cars by 2030 delayed to 2035. People still allowed to buy secondhand cars after that date.
  • “Far more time” to transition from gas boilers to heat pumps. Householders will only be required to switch when they are due to change their boiler, even then not until 2035. New exemption not to switch to heat pumps at all.
  • Boiler scrappage scheme will be increased by 50% to £7,500
  • Drops plan for rented properties to improve energy efficiency of homes.
  • No ban on new oil and gas development in the North Sea

Sunak said he was still committed to 2050 net zero emissions target but would do it in a pragmatic and proportionate way.

The Prime Minister said: “We are taking a new approach to the biggest challenge we face, climate change.

“The risk is simple if we continue down this path will lose the consent of the British people, meaning we might never achieve our goal.”

He added that lifting targets to force energy efficiency improvements in homes would save families up to £15,000.

Sunak also highlighted a fresh plan to improve energy infrastructure and improve grid connections for businesses.