Labour Conference: Ed Miliband and Steve Reed speeches

Addressing delegates at Labour Party Conference today, Ed Miliband announced new measures to raise energy efficiency standards for rented homes. Responding, Mike Childs, head of science, policy and research at Friends of the Earth, said:

“It’s really encouraging to see the Energy Secretary bolstering plans to ensure landlords upgrade poorly-insulated rental properties – an important step that will help many living in draughty, damp homes and help to cut the carbon emissions that cause climate change. 

“With nearly 10 million low-income households living in poorly insulated homes across the country, this alone won’t fix the cold homes crisis, which is harming health and costing the UK economy billions each year through lost economic productivity and avoidable NHS costs. 

“To truly turn the tide on the triple whammy of health, economic and environmental harms caused by our heat-leaking homes, it will likely cost £6bn a year on average over the next ten years to make them fit for the future. In her speech today, the Chancellor promised to recognise the benefits of long-term investment in funding decisions. Fixing housing must be one of the government’s top infrastructure priorities.” 

The Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, also unveiled plans to funnel private investment into our vastly outdated water infrastructure. Paul de Zylva, nature campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

"The large sums of private investment Steve Reed has announced sound impressive, but they are still subject to confirmation from Ofwat because it will be tied to the regulator's decision in December on how much water bills should rise. That said, it is good to see the water regulator and government finally starting to take some positive steps to tackle the sewage scandal. 

"We've seen pollution from sewage, pesticides, roads and housing all worsening, despite years of higher water bills. It's time the government gets tough on all types of pollution leaching into our precious rivers and seas. 

"Alongside restoring the Environment Agency's budget and expertise so it can properly monitor water quality, the government must enshrine the right to a health environment in law, as part of a new Environmental Rights Act. This would give power back to communities to hold polluters to account and defend their areas in court."

ENDS