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Ministers are set to ditch key green pledges in order to help \u00adconsumers and businesses fight high inflation.<\/p>\n
The Government has postponed reforms that would see manufacturers pay the cost of recycling their packaging.<\/p>\n
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme will be deferred a year from October 2024 to 2025.<\/p>\n
Steve Gough, chief executive at the UK\u2019s largest compliance scheme Valpak, said: \u201cWith consumers under significant pressure from the cost-of-living crisis, both Government and business are struggling to balance budgets against a commitment to progress with environmental improvements.\u201d<\/p>\n
Retail bosses had argued the reforms would cost manufacturers \u00a32billion a year and likely prompt further price increases.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> Sadiq Khan’s rival and newest Tory MP demand ULEZ expansion axed in new letter<\/strong><\/p>\n Tory MPs have urged Rishi Sunak to ditch green policies in the hope of attracting voters at the next general election.<\/p>\n The UK\u2019s ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 had been thrown into doubt by Mr Sunak this week.<\/p>\n Officials also said there could be an extension to the 2028 deadline for landlords in the private rented sector to have to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties. Speaking earlier this week, Housing Secretary Michael Gove said: \u201cMy own strong view is that we\u2019re asking too much too quickly. I think we should relax the pace.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Gove warned about \u201ctreating the cause of the environment as a religious crusade\u201d.<\/p>\n Some senior Conservatives, including Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, have been calling for delays to climate pledges after the Tories narrowly held on to Uxbridge and South Ruislip in last week\u2019s by-election.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> Labour\u2019s Equality Act is not being used to protect women but to terrorise them[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Labour\u2019s failure to win Boris Johnson\u2019s old seat has been widely attributed to local unease over the expansion of London\u2019s \u00a312.50 a day Ultra Low Emission Zone scheme to the capital\u2019s suburbs by the party\u2019s London Mayor Sadiq Khan.<\/p>\n Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said yesterday he has asked Mr Khan to \u201creflect on\u201d the rollout of Ulez.<\/p>\n Robbie MacPherson, from climate group Uplift, said: \u201cWe have seen what happens when governments \u2018ditch the green crap\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cEnergy bills spike, climate breakdown worsens and struggling households pay the price.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/4877606.jpg?r=1690409794958\")
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