Newspaper headlines: Petrol car ban delay and Starmer 'to reject EU plan'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly set to rule out any bid for the UK to join a revamped EU

A number of Wednesday's papers lead with the news that Rishi Sunak is considering watering down some of the government's green policies.

"Finally! Common sense on net zero" is the take of the Daily Mail. The paper says ministers believe the new approach could assist households struggling with the high cost of living and help transform Tory fortunes. The Sun has a leader column welcoming it.

"Rishi hits the brakes on petrol car ban" is the headline in the Daily Express. It points out that Mr Sunak's predecessor, Liz Truss, had called on him to delay the ban in a speech on Monday.

The Daily Telegraph says the move draws a "clear dividing line" between the Conservatives and Labour. But it says that, while some Tory MPs have welcomed the plans, others are reported to be preparing letters of no confidence in the prime minister if he goes ahead.

The Times, too, reports unhappiness among sections of the Tory Party, with some Conservatives suggesting that "resiling" from green commitments could cost the party the next election. The paper notes that the possible delay to the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars is likely to prove "contentious". It says the original deadline of 2030 had played a key role in securing investments in battery technology and electric cars in the UK.

The Guardian makes a similar point, saying many of the targets are seen as crucial for the growth of the green energy sector. A disappointed chief executive of Energy UK, Emma Pinchbeck, tells the paper the move is "not a great look for UK PLC".

The government is said to be considering delaying a ban on new petrol cars from 2030 to 2035

Away from green issues, many of the papers carry pictures of the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, shaking hands with French President Emmanuel Macron during their meeting yesterday in Paris. The Telegraph quotes what it calls a "senior French source" who says Mr Macron believes Sir Keir has the "moral authority" to be prime minister.

The i says Sir Keir is set to rule out any bid for the UK to join a revamped EU. A plan has emerged from France and Germany for four tiers of integration, including associate membership for some nations, which could include the UK. But the paper says Sir Keir will reject that, partly because of the electoral danger of appearing to revert to type as anti-Brexit. Reports of the rejection cut no ice with the Mail, though, which suggests the plans are aimed at drawing the UK back into Brussels's orbit. It accuses Sir Keir of a "cynical plot to betray Brexit".

And the Daily Mirror leads with comments by the Education Secretary Gillian Keegan in the Commons yesterday. She said some children were happier being taught in the temporary classrooms that have been brought in to schools where crumbling concrete is an issue. The paper notes that the number of affected schools now stands at 174 and accuses Ms Keegan of trying to window-dress the disruption.

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