Hospital consultants are set to go on a two-day strike at the end of October

Downing Street has insisted that the government remains committed to the principle of the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate – while not denying today’s Guardian report saying interim targets to achieve it are set to be watered down. (See 9.26am.)

Asked about the story at the daily lobby briefing, the PM’s spokesperson said:

The government is fully behind the zero emission vehicle mandate, and no decisions have been taken yet.

We’re sticking to our commitment, phasing out new cars that run only on petrol or diesel by 2030, every new car and van will be zero emission by 2035, and our legally binding net zero targets. None of that is changing.