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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would not introduce new levies on meat or carbon and indicated fuel duty would remain frozen, in an interview with the Sun.
Speaking during a visit to a primary school in Stoke-on-Trent, Johnson stressed the economic benefits of following through with the U.K.’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Johnson said Britain’s green ambitions were “an agenda for an economic bounce-back that is built on the U.K. at the heart of a technological revolution as we were at the heart of the Industrial Revolution 200 years ago.”
“So green technology, going forward with the green option, is very often the best way to drive, drive jobs and drive the economy,” he said in the interview, published Monday.
Johnson also told the Sun the U.K.’s “economic recovery is going to be powered by white van man amongst others,” indicating the levy on fuel would remain frozen for the 10th year running.
The comments come ahead of the COP26 climate summit in November, to be hosted by the U.K. in Glasgow.
The PM also commented on Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s call for another Scottish independence referendum, saying the idea is “completely in-apposite, irrelevant, uncalled for and unnecessary.” He added: “The value of the Union has been massively underscored during this pandemic.”
Johnson wouldn’t be drawn on rumors of a row with French President Emmanuel Macron over his past comment that the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine seemed “quasi-ineffective on people older than 65.” Responding to Macron’s more recent statement that he would get an AstraZeneca jab, Johnson said: “I am thrilled the president of the French Republic has said would have one himself, that’s very positive. It’s very positive to see the endorsement.”
Johnson said he has “good relations” with the French president.
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