Rishi Sunak dodged on whether the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales will go ahead today as Tories demand a rethink on Net Zero policies.

Visiting a housing development in Worcester this morning, the PM stressed he wanted to make progress on reducing emissions in a ‘proportional and pragmatic way’. 

But he pointedly stopped short of explicitly stating that the deadline for phasing out most non-electric vehicles will be kept. 

Earlier, international development minister Andrew Mitchell also seemed to give less than full-throated support for the plans in a round of interviews.

Despite suggesting the ban ‘will remain in place’, he also insisted people should ‘wait for an announcement from the government’ and he ‘can’t prophesise for the future’.

The havering came as ministers look at watering down tough measures intended to help the UK reach Net Zero emissions by 2050 – after the Conservatives’ opposition to London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Ulez car tax was credited with their narrow victory in the Uxbridge by-election last week.

Tory strategists believe clear dividing lines from Labour on green policies could help limit losses to at the election.

Over the weekend Michael Gove called for the relaxation of some environmental measures as he warned against treating climate change like a ‘religious crusade’.

The Housing Secretary admitted the Government is ‘asking too much too quickly’ of landlords, who were facing a ban on renting properties unless they pay for environmental measures by 2028.

He also piled pressure on quango Natural England to end its block on house building and its requirement for councils to introduce clean air zones in new developments.

Downing Street is said to be looking again at a threatened packaging tax on manufacturers over fears the costs would be passed on to shoppers at supermarket tills.

A £120 hydrogen tax on fuel bills is likely to be removed from draft legislation over complaints it would be unfair on households struggling during the cost of living crisis.

Backbenchers are calling for Mr Sunak’s Government to go further by delaying the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and the 2035 end of gas boiler installations, as well as removing green levies on fuel bills. 

Mr Sunak was asked by broadcasters this morning whether he stands by the plans. ‘Of course net zero is important to me,’ he replied.

‘So yes we’re going to keep making progress towards our net zero ambitions and we’re also going to strengthen our energy security.

‘I think the events over the last year or two have demonstrated the importance of investing more in home grown energy, whether that’s more nuclear or offshore wind. I think that’s what people want to see and that’s what I’m going to deliver.’

Pushed on whether he will stand up to Tory MPs urging a rethink, Mr Sunak said: ‘Actually I’m standing up for the British people because I’m also cognisant that we’re living through a time at the moment where inflation is high. That’s having an impact on household and families’ bills. I don’t want to add that, I want to make it easier.

‘So yes we’re going to make progress towards net zero but we’re going to do that in a proportionate and pragmatic a way that doesn’t unnecessarily give people more hassle and more costs in their lives – that’s not what I’m interested in and prepared to do.’

Asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme if the ban on the sale of new petrol cars from 2030 is still in place, Mr Mitchell said: ‘It absolutely is.’

But pressed on whether it will remain that way, he said: ‘Well, all I can tell you is it is in place’

He added: ‘Well, I’m afraid I can’t prophesise for the future.’

Mr Mitchell denied he was unsure whether it will stay for the rest of the term of this Government, saying: ‘That is not what I am saying. I am saying that it is in place and it remains in place.’

Asked again if it will stay, he said: ‘And will remain in place.’

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps opened a new front with Labour by vowing the Government will ‘max out’ the remaining reserves of North Sea oil and gas. He branded the opposition’s pledge to ban new exploration licences as ‘madness’.

‘What Labour foolishly and irresponsibly want to do is pursue a policy of self-harm by not taking that [North Sea] oil and gas but buying it from abroad,’ Mr Shapps told the Financial Times. 

Rishi Sunak is being urged to push a more true-blue agenda amid more grim polls for the Tories.

YouGov research suggests Labour is leading on all major policy issues, including managing the economy and ability to tackle the Channel boats crisis.

Keir Starmer is also favoured as PM by 31 per cent compared to to 23 per cent for Rishi Sunak – although 44 per cent were not convinced by either.

The Conservatives have descended into a fresh bout of soul-searching in the wake of the double by-election defeat last week.

MPs have been demanding the PM brings forward tax cuts – and also calling for a rethink of a raft of Net Zero policies after the party managed to cling on in Uxbridge & South Ruislip. 

The YouGov survey for the Times found Labour’s overall poll lead standing at a huge 19 points.

Some 30 per cent had confidence in Sir Keir to manage the economy, against 54 per cent who did not – a fairly dismal net rating of minus 24. 

But the Tories’ score was minus 41 – with just 25 per cent positive and 66 per cent not.

Mr Sunak’s net rating on another priority of reducing inflation was minus 46, as opposed to minus 30 for Sir Keir. For tax the figures were minus 49 and minus 23 respectively. 

On Labour’s traditional strength of the NHS, it rates minus 15 compared to minus 69 for the Conservatives.

Even on the Channel migrant crisis – where Tories are usually preferred – Mr Sunak only scores minus 58, worse than the minus 40 for Sir Keir.