Chamber chief’s dismay at PM’s net zero stance

A prominent Lancashire business leader has described Rishi Sunak’s walking back of some net zero targets as “hugely concerning” and potentially detrimental to the county’s economy.

Miranda Barker, the chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, is also involved in a number of organisations aimed at promoting the use of green technology as well as accelerating the commercialisation of new ideas.

She says that the prime minister’s announcement that the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK will be delayed by five years, from 2030 to 2035, could be gravely detrimental to the sector.

Miranda points to consumer consultation which shows that the main reason buyers may be reluctant to look beyond petrol and diesel when replacing their vehicles is the government’s own lack of investment in charging infrastructure provision and grid capacity as a whole.

She said: “It is hugely concerning to hear the news that the government may be considering rowing back on the phasing out of new petrol and diesel new car sales.

“EV and EV battery tech is a hugely significant tech sector for the Lancashire low carbon business community, with our expertise being a draw for future inward investments and firms potentially moving into Lancashire, and a strong supporting factor in the sector’s growth in the UK itself.

“In addition, by creating uncertainty in the market, this is stalling private sector investment into the market coming forward – holding back the sector development and causing the UK to fall even further behind.

“The low carbon tech market is now being referred to as Industry 5  -  the next big industrial market opportunity and the serious concern is that the UK is being left flat-footed on the starting line, missing the chance to capitalise on this, whilst China and the US race ahead.”