Anne is a member of the DCLG select committee which has looked into delivering sustainable communities
> Policy summary
We must help tackle global warming through Green Council Tax Tariffs for homes that have significantly improved their carbon foot print.
> Policy explanation
Older Homes will continue to contribute to significant harmful carbon emissions unless we incentivise home owners to adopt greener measures.
Global warming is an accepted fact, we need to look urgently at the problem in the round and try to see where we can have a “win win” situation that people will buy into. I believe to help tackle our carbon emissions we should incentivise greener homes through a green council tax band rating triggered by significant upgrades in the green rating of a home.
Currently approximately 27.3% of all carbon comes from the estimated 26 million homes in the UK, many older and poorer families live in older less energy efficient homes, these families are often hardest hit by fuel bills and indeed council tax. They are conversely least likely to be ale to afford to put in measures that improve the overall green rating of their homes.
Currently if a green system such as solar panels is installed little if any pay back is seen by the investor and because of low volumes these systems and others remain expensive and not the norm. The elderly and the poor suffer the most from soaring council tax and fuel bills, but all of us would welcome homes that are cheaper and greener to run. In areas like my constituency of St Albans, which has one of the worst carbon footprints in the UK, few homes have adopted environmentally positive measures.
The Government has tentatively looked at new build homes and is suggesting, but not legislating, that they be greener. However builders resist what they see are expensive investments that do little to add to the value of a home. We need to break this cycle. Nothing in the Queen’s speech was said which would help us tackle the carbon emissions from homes. Only the motorist and air traveller are in the sights of the Government and it appears sticks rather than carrots are becoming the order of the day.
It is worth noting that new houses will only ever form a small percentage of housing stock and so if older homes made significant improvements to their energy and carbon ratings then they would be cheaper and more efficient to run and reduce carbon emissions and contribute significantly to carbon savings. Upgraded, greener more environmentally homes should then be rewarded with a lower cost green council tax band rating, making them cheaper to run and afford. The Government would recognise and compensate for any loss of council tax revenue through a proportionately higher grant award to the council.
I believe that, as Conservatives, we can argue from past experience that encouraging homes to upgrade can be well received and deliver real results. We did after all pioneer concern for the environment and indeed set up the first Department for the Environment in the world in 1970. We went on to build on this innovation in our 1974 manifesto by committing to seeking methods to avoid waste and unnecessary consumption of fuels and energy - this led to an energy saving scheme that included a loft and tank insulation drive in the 1970s. Those eligible obtained grants and soon focus was shifted onto delivering energy economies within the home. It was popular and because it was seen to be cost effective it was well taken up. Now we need to take this principle and yank it firmly into the 21st century. My policy would adopt the same principle but drive it much further. A listed building on a company site called Renewable Energy Systems in my constituency has achieved a totally zero carbon foot print, that is beyond many of us but shows what we can all aspire to.
> Policy risks
- This policy will need to clearly identify and give guidance to councils as to which environmental measures are considered to significantly improve a home and thus attracting funding via the Government and qualify for a council tax discount.
- Government must commit to refunding any grants etc given by councils and ensure there is no shortfall of funding to Councils who see a significant number of homes achieving a lower council tax rating through green improvements.
> Policy opportunities
We can achieve less carbon emissions, and ensure homes are cheaper to run and show an ongoing return on investment in green measures through the council tax reduction which benefits pensioners and those on low or fixed incomes the most. It is not just a one off grant that only benefits the original installer as the home will remain in the green council tax tariff. The council tax burden will be eased. Environmental systems should start to become cheaper as volume purchase occurs.
The Stern report says we must see environmental improvements as an investment and the Government accepts this. This is an opportunity to demonstrate in a positive and concrete way our commitment to investment in our environment.
> Questions
- Should we extend this concept to non domestic premises?
- Should grants on a sliding scale be available to all or only those on lower incomes?
- How many grades, if more than one broad band, of improvement should be considered-heritage houses may struggle to adopt more than a limited range - or should be seen as a percentage upgrading on the current carbon situation?
> Costs
Not known at this stage but cost of doing nothing is an ever growing contribution to carbon emissions and global warming.
