More green opportunities missed in mini-budget

The Chancellor of the Exchequer failed to tackle the environment crisis in his mini-budget, claims a Midlands green expert. 

“Kwasi Kwarteng put economic growth at the expense of crucial climate targets whereas a green recovery would help much-needed economic and social goals at the same time,” said Ron Fox, of Noreus Ltd. 

He said a classic example was the cut in stamp duty which doubled the threshold from £125,000 to £250,000 for house movers paying the tax and from £300,000 to £425,000 for first-time buyers.  

“That may probably be a good move to help stimulate the housing market and the economy,” said Ron, “but why didn’t the Chancellor link it to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of homes?

“Connecting the move to home improvements such as fitting insulation and heat pumps would be a huge incentive for owners to reduce their energy consumption and the UK’s dependence on expensive and environmentally damaging oil and gas,” he added.

“It would be a win-win situation for home buyers, energy security, the climate – and the economy.”

The Chancellor did confirm that £1bn over three years would come from energy suppliers helping the most vulnerable customers with loft insulation and boiler replacements saving thousands of people on low incomes £200 a year.

But Ron pointed out there was no help for the UK’s estimated 19 million households in urgent need of home insulation.

Another example was the Government’s proposed Investment Zones. Ron said devolving greater power and decision-making to the regions was a good idea and would boost jobs, but why were there no measures to protect the environment and countryside in those areas? 

The move brought an angry reaction from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Wildlife Trust who said green rules on nature protection would in effect be suspended.

A third example was the Chancellor’s plans to improve the efficiency and reduce the complexity of the UK planning system. “Again, that is a good move, but I am worried that any planning reforms would create a free-for-all approach to new development at the expense of our legally binding climate commitments, environmental safeguards and nature recovery goals.

Ron did admit that one good in the mini-budget was the lifting of the effective ban on onshore wind farms. 

Polls show more than 70 per cent of people support this scheme, which is cheap to implement and will help to boost renewable energy generation. It will also reduce the reliance on costly gas so reducing bills and will keep thousands of people’s homes warmer in the next three years.

But he concluded: “More new announcements on energy efficiency were lacking in the Chancellor’s statement, despite the country being in the grip of an energy and cost of living crisis,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science Innovation Park. 

“I hope he addresses these issues as a matter of urgency.”

For more information about green energy and how to cut your energy bills, call Ron on 0845 4746641. 

Caption: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng, missed opportunities in his mini-budget to fight climate change. Picture: Wikipedia.