Sunak to delay climate plans until after Budget

New Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to delay the government’s plan to work towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 until after the upcoming Budget.

The climate plans, as well as pledges on transport connectivity and the national infrastructure strategy, were previously set to be published ‘alongside’ the Budget, which is due on 11 March. However, Sunak, who took over at the Treasury last month after Sajid Javid resigned, is not expected to unveil the plans seen as being crucial to the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda until a later date.

The strategy, which foresees spending of £100 billion over this Parliament, will contain vital funding projections for transport, local growth and digital infrastructure. It is believed that the delay will allow Sunak to refocus the strategy, to reflect potentially larger resources available, and to incorporate the challenge of achieving net zero carbon emissions over the same 30-year timescale.

Sir John Armitt, the chair of the national infrastructure commission, said they were ‘disappointed’ at the delay but expressed confidence that ministers remained committed to infrastructure investment.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said: “This is absolute chaos in government. We are facing the threat of climate change and an economy at risk of recession. That’s why we desperately need an immediate start to large scale infrastructure investment. Delaying implementation of investment is unacceptable.”