Half a million poor families left out of pocket unless they get more cash help, Net Zero review reveals

HALF a million poor families will be left out of pocket under Net Zero plans, a landmark eco-review warns.

Stricken low-income households will need more cash help to go green or they will lose out, ministers have been told.

Gas boilers should be banned by 2033 – two years earlier than planned – and every new building should have solar panels on top, a leaked copy of the report, seen by The Sun, reveals.

The major review calls on Rishi Sunak to go even faster with the green plans Boris Johnson proposed – despite the crippling cost of living crisis.

Hard-up Brits will be forced to spend thousands of pounds on new green heating systems even sooner, the review from former climate minister, Chris Skidmore, recommends.

But the upfront costs of going green won’t see returns for decades to come – unless ministers plug more cash into grants.

The average household could save up to £6,000 – but will have to fork out huge sums upfront to make their homes more energy efficient.

Thousands of families will only break even unless they get a £2,000 subsidy to help bear some of the eye-watering costs.

450,000 households would not see a saving by 2050 – low-income social housing tenants, and owner occupiers in urban areas on the gas grid.

The cost of pricey heat pumps and electric vehicles must be pushed down for the plans to work, it says.

Ministers must also water down planning laws as it is “undermining going green”, it says, risking a huge fight with Tory MPs over wind and solar farms.

Net Zero tsar Mr Skidmore wants to see a “rooftop revolution” and remove the need to gain planning permission to put them on top of buildings.

The landmark review of the nation’s green policies was ordered by Liz Truss to make sure the green goals did not place huge burdens on firms or families at a time of sky high energy prices and inflation.

But the report, which is due to be published next week, calls on the PM to go even faster to get to Net Zero by 2050.

It urges ministers to lay out the cash for Net Zero by the end of the year – despite a looming recession.

And the Treasury must step up with more tax breaks for companies to push them to go green quicker.

It says ministers must give clarity to businesses and consumers about how to reach the green goals, and what they need to do, otherwise they will remain “just words on a page”.

He also said that a lack of confidence in the government and changes in policy had undermined the policy – and risked missing goals altogether.

Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said last night: “With a wealth of talent and expertise, and a track record to be proud of, the UK is well placed to ensure that tackling climate change also brings new jobs and investment for businesses and communities.

“I am grateful to Chris Skidmore – the man who signed our climate commitments into law – for his detailed report today, which offers a range of ideas and innovations for us to consider as we work to grasp the opportunities from green growth.”