Kemi Badenoch says the UK can't afford its climate change targets.

Kemi Badenoch has been accused of being a “Reform tribute act” after she unveiled plans to scrap the Climate Change Act if the Tories win the next election.

The Conservative leader said the law, which commits the UK to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, “tied us in red tape, loaded us with costs, and did nothing to cut global emissions”.

But campaigners and industry chiefs accused her of aping Nigel Farage and said the move put her party on the same side as “climate denialists, conspiracy theorists and far right extremists”.

Badenoch announced the controversial move on the eve of the Tories’ annual conference, where she is under pressure to set out how she will turn around her party’s ailing fortunes.

She said: “We want to leave a cleaner environment for our children, but not by bankrupting the country.

“Climate change is real. But Labour’s laws tied us in red tape, loaded us with costs, and did nothing to cut global emissions. Previous Conservative governments tried to make Labour’s climate laws work - they don’t.

“Under my leadership we will scrap those failed targets. Our priority now is growth, cheaper energy, and protecting the natural landscapes we all love.”

The Climate Change Act was first passed under Labour in 2008, when its aim was to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80%.

But it was strengthened to 100% by........

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