Net zero policies cannot only work for the “metropolitan bubble”, Kemi Badenoch has said after Rishi Sunak delayed a number of key green policies.

The Business Secretary defended the Prime Minister’s decision to delay a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 and exempt some households from the oil and gas boiler ban.

Ms Badenoch strongly rejected a suggestion by a Sky News presenter that “the poorest in society don’t drive in this country”, accusing her of making a “ludicrous statement” and “astonishing” argument.

“You will find the poorest in society drive because they live in a rural area,” she said. “People who live in cities will be able to deal with this in a way that is quite different from people who live in towns and rural areas. We need to think about everybody, not just the metropolitan bubble.”

Pressed on Mr Sunak’s about-turn, Ms Badenoch replied: “Well I’m afraid that my constituents raise these concerns all the time and those who are least able to afford it are the ones who are making the most complaints. And we as a government are thinking about them. So we are thinking about them.”

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