Tory supporters back policies to provide funding for people who want to adopt greener lifestyles, according to the research carried out for Onward by Public First.
Those policies include payments to people who trade in their diesel cars, tax incentives for landlords who insulate their properties and direct financial help for poorer families who want to make their homes more efficient. Conservative MP Siobhan Baillie said: “This Onward research shows Rishi was right to put families’ finances first when it comes to our net zero ambitions. Everybody wants to do their bit to help protect the environment and many are already doing so. But many also will also need help to upgrade their homes and switch to, not to be taxed and forced to change at great expense and worry when the technology or infrastructure is simply not there yet.
“It’s clear from this poll that Conservatives can lead on this pragmatic, ‘stepping stone approach’ to meet the target and they should continue to focus on real life net zero policies that help, not force, people to go green.” Adam Hawksbee of Onward added: “There’s no political reward from pausing net zero, and the Prime Minister was right to reject those siren calls in his speech. But he needs to back up his approach with popular policies to help people insulate draughty homes, move to renewable energy and afford electric vehicles.”