The Conservative party has pledged to scrap Labour's proposed ban on new diesel heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) if they return to power, aiming to prevent a spiral in the cost of goods and inflation. Kemi Badenoch's party stated they would reverse the government's plans to phase out diesel trucks and lorries in favor of electric vehicles, arguing that such a move would have a devastating impact on the cost of transporting essential items.
Under Labour's policy, an outright ban on new emission-producing HGVs was set for 2040, with an interim ban on smaller lorries scheduled for 2035. The Tories also plan to eliminate grants that provide discounts for electric vans and trucks, reallocating the £877 million allocated for these purchases up to 2030. Tory transport spokesman Richard Holden asserted that banning diesel lorries would increase transportation costs for food and produce across the UK.
"Britain's hauliers keep our shelves stocked and our economy moving," Holden said. "Just as drivers should be able to choose the car that works for them, businesses should be able to choose the truck that works for them." He criticized Labour's spending on targets that he believes are unattainable, stating, "Their blinkered eco zealotry risks imposing huge costs on hauliers operating on wafer-thin margins, which will ultimately be paid by families at the checkout."
The Conservatives also criticized Prime Minister Andy Burnham regarding decisions on North Sea oil and gas drilling. Tory energy spokesman Claire Coutinho accused Burnham of being hesitant to approve drilling in the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields. A decision on these sites is expected next month, with reports suggesting Jackdaw may be approved while Rosebank faces potential opposition from Labour MPs. Rosebank is described as the largest untapped oil field in the North Sea.
Coutinho argued that using North Sea gas has lower emissions than imported gas, making domestic production better for the climate. She supports shifting focus from Net Zero targets to affordable energy, citing analysis that suggests slowing the transition to renewables in favor of gas and nuclear power could lower energy bills and save families an estimated £540 annually by 2050. These proposals represent a departure from previous Conservative policies, which included the Net Zero commitment introduced in 2019 under Theresa May and commitments to ban emission-producing HGVs under Boris Johnson in 2021.