Suella says ban on petrol and diesel car sales would ‘bankrupt British people’ as she hails PM for delaying hated policy

SUELLA Braverman today insisted an early ban on petrol cars would “bankrupt British people” as she hailed Rishi Sunak for delaying the hated policy.

The Home Secretary leapt to the PM’s defence after Labour and a small number of Tory MPs hit out at the major victory for hard-up motorists.

PA

Suella Braverman has hailed the PM for delaying a ban on petrol and diesel cars by five years[/caption]

Ms Braverman told Sky News: “Fundamentally, we’re not going to save the planet by bankrupting the British people.

“We need to put economic growth and household costs first.

“We need to put the cost of living first.”

The PM is set to delay a 2030 ban on petrol and diesel car sales by five years – marking a massive victory for The Sun’s Give Us A Brake campaign. 

Last night he promised a “better, more proportionate way” of reaching Net Zero that did not punish hard-pressed families. 

The phasing out of gas boilers is also expected to be softened to stop Brits forking out for expensive eco upgrades.

The PM said successive governments “have not been honest about costs and trade offs” of going green.

In a late-night statement the Tory leader said: “As a first step, I’ll be giving a speech this week to set out an important long-term decision we need to make so our country becomes the place I know we all want it to be for our children.”

Ms Braverman insisted the government is still committed to achieving Net Zero by 2050.

But she added ministers “need to adopt an approach of pragmatism and proportionality”.

“We absolutely remain committed to delivering net zero by 2050, in line with our international agreements,” The Home Secretary said.

“We’re only going to achieve a Net Zero target whereby people can go about their daily lives using their cars and the facilities available to them.

“I do commend the PM for taking difficult decisions, long term decisions in the national interest and in the interests of the British people.”

Tory MPs last night cheered the rethink as “positive news” for Brits already grappling with the cost of living.

After news of his climbdown was leaked, the PM got on the front foot with a message to voters.

He said: “I know people are frustrated with politics and want real change. Our political system rewards short-term decision-making that is holding our country back.

“For too many years politicians in governments of all stripes have not been honest about costs and trade offs. Instead they have taken the easy way out, saying we can have it all.

“This realism doesn’t mean losing our ambition or abandoning our commitments. Far from it. I am proud that Britain is leading the world on climate change.

“We are committed to Net Zero by 2050 and the agreements we have made internationally – but doing so in a better, more proportionate way. 

“Our politics must again put the long-term interests of our country before the short-term political needs of the moment.

“No leak will stop me beginning the process of telling the country how and why we need to change.”

A huge scaling back will reportedly see him push back both the phasing out of gas boilers and sale of non-electric vehicles.