Zero money
BORIS Johnson’s “net zero” plans are a gigantic gamble. If he loses, the voting public will pick up a really ruinous tab.
Because, while we are happy that some costs are finally on the table, they are breathtaking.
The Prime Minister is betting that the British entrepreneurial genius will succeed in this ecological revolution and create a tsunami of green jobs.
A few signs are promising. Like the commitment of Octopus Energy to lower the purchase and installation price of a heat pump, currently beyond the reach of most portfolios, as low as a gas boiler.
But many of Boris’ green promises are wishful thinking. He is mortgaging Britain on technologies that don’t yet work.
Or, like electric cars, they are still both overpriced AND poor substitutes for the ones we use today. Meanwhile, the incentives to buy them are low. . . and shrinkage.
We fear that net zero will become a cornerstone around the neck of our economy as other less committed nations prosper. The realism of the Treasury is even darker.
He warns of a black hole of at least £ 97 billion in finances as fossil fuel tax levies collapse, meaning higher taxes elsewhere. He talks about job losses and soaring inflation.
Net zero is the biggest disruption to our infrastructure and our economy since the Industrial Revolution, being precipitated in a fraction of the time. The Sun wants a cleaner, greener planet. But the cost seems overwhelming.
Emissions could reach net zero by 2050.
Our bank balances could get there much sooner.
Resist, Rishi
THERE is never a good time to increase fuel taxes. When gasoline and diesel are close to a record, it is even more unthinkable.
Families and businesses are being hammered by soaring costs. Prices at the pump weigh heavily on the economy.
It would be folly for Rishi Sunak to add this to next Wednesday’s budget.
Or to impose tax hikes after the national insurance hike. Eliminate them, Rishi.
The betrayal of the veterinarian
THE last six wasted years of Dennis Hutchings’ life put successive Prime Ministers to shame.
The old soldier served valiantly for 26 years. And yet, in his 70s and in desperately poor health, he was subjected to grueling police questioning and then to trial for a 1974 murder in Northern Ireland of which he was cleared at the time.
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Another soldier apparently confessed.
Dennis was determined to clear his name. Covid took it before he could.
Despite the free passes given to IRA killers years ago, Conservative governments were too scared of Sinn Fein to end the prosecution of our veterans for questionable historical allegations.
Dennis deserved better. TEAR.
Susanna Reid argues with Chancellor Rishi Sunak as he talks about her and slams her ‘long’ question
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