The UK’s goal of tackling the climate crisis by reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 is “too far away”, the prime minister’s climate change spokesperson has said.

Allegra Stratton, Boris Johnson’s former press secretary, said the “science is clear” that the UK must change its carbon emission output “right now”. Click here

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World This Weekend,  Stratton said: “What I’m aware of is right now that we have a 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution, we have FTSE 100 companies pledging to go net-zero, and not only that, but we also have the NHS and hospitals around the country saying, ‘You know what, we’ll have a go as well.’

“And I feel at the point at which we can all of us see that we’re not doing it on our own, every part of society is moving in tandem towards this net zero in 2050 … but let’s be honest, that’s too far away.

She has encouraged people to “feel the fierce urgency of now” as the UK prepares for the COP 26 summit in Glasgow in November.

Listen to piece on climate change and interview.  Starts at minute 5.16