Labour's net zero targets are out of step with public opinion and 'distorting' effective policy on climate change, the Tony Blair Institute warned yesterday.

The organisation, run by the ex-PM, said politicians must focus on infrastructure and technological innovation instead of arbitrary dates.

Sir Keir Starmer previously laid out plans to 'decarbonise' UK power by 2030 – a goal he admitted was 'difficult' but 'doable'.

But new polling for the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) shows just 19 per cent of Britons believe we will achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The Tony Blair Institute said politicians must focus on infrastructure and technological innovation instead of arbitrary dates. Pictured: Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair

Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) previously laid out plans to 'decarbonise' UK power by 2030 which he admitted was 'difficult' but 'doable'

TBI senior policy adviser Tone Langengen said: 'It's time for political leaders to stop setting unrealistic new short-term goals, and double down on the technology and innovation that will deliver on long-term commitments. 

'Right now, the focus primarily on Britain's targets is distorting policy.'

A government source told the Mail: 'Starmer's mad plans to decarbonise the grid are based purely on ideology.' 

Sir Keir's official spokesman said: 'We will have a complete strategy on tackling child poverty when we get into government.'

Labour was under renewed pressure yesterday to scrap the two-child benefit cap after former PM Gordon Brown told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'The tragedy is we are now writing the future history of our country by neglecting children who we have condemned to poverty.'