On 11th June, Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party, Rishi Sunak, launched The Conservative and Unionist Party Manifesto 2024. The Manifesto was unveiled following an announcement by the Prime Minister at the Silverstone motor racing circuit and outlines the Party’s pitch for re-election.

Energy Efficiency and Net Zero

Net Zero remains a crucial topic for all Parties ahead of the upcoming election. In June 2023, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) warned of “worryingly slow” progress, stating that the current policies within the UK won’t deliver net zero in time for 2050.

In September 2023, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a “more pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic approach” to net zero. This included a significant U-turn on the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), which required all rented properties to have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C or above by 2028. The Prime Minister justified the amends by citing the financial burdens on landlords and the need to balance environmental goals with economic realities.

Conservative Manifesto: “Our plan for an affordable and pragmatic transition to net zero”

In the Prime Minister’s speech at Silverstone, he reaffirmed the Conservative Party’s commitment to a ‘pragmatic and proportionate’ approach, stating “in our approach to energy policy, we will put security and your family finances ahead of unaffordable eco-zealotry”.

Within the Manifesto, the Conservative Party reiterate its commitment to delivering net zero by 2050. The document outlines how the pragmatic and proportionate approach is vital to “ensuring that families are given time to make changes that affect their lives”. The document also states that this approach will ensure people are never forced “to rip out their existing boiler and replace it with a heat pump.”

There is no specific mention of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) within the Party’s manifesto. However, the document does state that almost half of homes in England are now energy efficiency Band C, compared to just one in seven homes in 2010.

The Conservative Manifesto also states that the Party will invest £6 billion in energy efficiency over the next three years to make around a million homes warmer. The Party will also look to fund an energy efficiency voucher scheme, open to households in England, to support the installation of energy efficiency measures and solar panels.

Housing and Buildings

Housebuilding targets, and the ability of the government to meet them, has come under scrutiny in recent years.

Last year, the Conservative Party amended its former target for “300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s” to be ‘advisory’. Despite this, the Party has continued to emphasise housing development. In February, the Prime Minister announced plans to turbocharge city development, with thousands of new homes to be built and shops, offices and commercial buildings to be converted into homes.

Conservative Manifesto: “Our plan to build more houses in the right places.”

The Conservative Party has committed to building 1.6 million homes in England during the next Parliament.

To achieve this, the Conservative Manifesto presents a number of plans, including:

• Abolishing Legacy EU ‘Nutrient Neutrality’ Rules: By removing these regulations, the party aims to unlock the construction of 100,000 new homes with local consent.
• Maximising Brownfield Development: The party plans to deliver a record number of homes each year on brownfield land in urban areas.
• Increasing Urban Density: In inner London, density levels will be raised, optimising land use and supporting sustainable urban living.
• Supporting Local and Smaller Builders: By fostering a diverse and competitive housing market, the Conservatives aim to stimulate local economies and provide more housing options.
• Reform Outdated ‘EU Red Tape’: Reform ‘EU red tape’ to protect nature, while enabling the building of new homes and new energy schemes.

What Happens Next? (General Election Timeline)

• 17th June: Deadline for registering to vote. This deadline has now passed.
• 18th June: Deadline for postal vote. This deadline has now passed.
• 26th June: Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy.
• 4th July: Election day/Polling day.

Elmhurst will continue to update members throughout the above timeline on any new and relevant information relating to the energy assessment and retrofit sector.

What About the Other Party Manifestos?

With the General Election campaigns picking up speed, this week has seen all three main political parties – Conservatives, Labour, and the Liberal Democrats – launch their Manifestos.

Labour: https://labour.org.uk/change/my-plan-for-change/

Liberal Democrats: https://www.libdems.org.uk/fileadmin/groups/2_Federal_Party/Documents/PolicyPapers/Manifesto_2024/For_a_Fair_Deal_-_Liberal_Democrat_Manifesto_2024.pdf