Rishi Sunak refuses net zero referendum with eco-crackdown set to continue at pace

Sunak instead insisted “most people are committed to getting to net zero”.

Red Wall MPs led the charge for Sunak to “rethink the headlong rush to net zero”.

However, the Prime Minister’s pro-motorist slant following the Uxbridge & South Ruislip by-election appears to fall short of addressing the wider net zero strategy.

Sunak told ITV: “I think actually there’s agreement on it.

“Most people are committed to getting to net zero but getting there in a proportionate and pragmatic way.

“That seems to me the common sense approach to doing this that has broad support.”

Speaking during a visit to Leicester, the Prime Minister added: “The path to net zero has got to be one that we tread carefully, that we bring everyone along with us on that journey.

“We’ll bring people along with us as we do, we’ll not unnecessarily burden them with extra hassle or extra cost as we do it. That’s my overall approach to net zero.”

Dudley North MP Marco Longhi told the Telegraph that he believes holding a net zero poll would be right “given the complexity of this issue and its far-reaching consequences”.

Lincoln MP Karl McCartney added: “Just like Brexit, the Government needs to make sure the public are on board with such radical changes, and that they hear the arguments and can make an informed decision.”

Despite ruling out a referendum on net zero, the Government looks set to relax some environmentalist policies.

Downing Street previously suggested it could water down its proposed ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

It has also claimed that a planned block on the installation of new oil powered boilers from 2026 is set to be scrapped amid rural opposition.

The Prime Minister's comments came amid a further fixation on inflation and wage growth.