A Reform UK-led council has become the first in the country to scrap net zero targets. West Northamptonshire Council voted to refocus its sustainability work to “ensure its efforts deliver the greatest value to local residents and businesses”.

The move means that the town hall, which Nigel Farage’s party took control of in May’s local elections, will no longer have to hit net zero by 2030 or encourage residents and businesses to do the same by 2045.

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said: “I am proud that a Reform UK Council will be the first council in the country to scrap its net zero goals in order to prioritise practical, realistic projects that improve lives, reduce energy bills, and support local businesses.

“Reform UK is the only party that is committed to scrapping net zero in its entirety to save jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.”

West Northamptonshire Council Leader Cllr Mark Arnull insisted that “we simply cannot afford net zero”.

He added: “Every year our council faces financial challenges to deliver the statutory services we have to provide by law.

“The previous administration set no budget to fund net zero, and instead set undeliverable targets that if attempted, would likely send the council bust.

“The Reform UK administration is fully committed to creating a more sustainable West Northamptonshire and being responsible custodians of our local environment.

“We want to further prioritise our focus on delivering practical, high-impact projects that make a real difference to people’s lives.

“In scrapping the council’s net zero goals, it will enable us to do this and deliver better, local outcomes for our residents and businesses that are justified financially for our taxpayers in delivering value for money.”

It comes as Nigel Farage’s party has pledged to abandon the push to net zero by 2050 if it takes power at the next general election.