Five Green Laws - a key Lib Dem policy

One of the policies that distinguishes the Liberal Democrats most from the other major parties is the Five Green Laws, aiming to put green commitments at the heart of the next Parliament’s legislative programme.

The five green laws will include regulations to cut household bills by increasing energy efficiency, legal targets for clean air and water, radical waste reduction plans, the introduction of a decarbonisation bill and reforms to planning law to encourage cycling.

Lib Dem Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change Ed Davey said: “The Lib Dems are the only party to have nailed their green credentials to the mast, and set out how this radical agenda will be delivered in a way that is both credible and affordable.

“Protecting the environment is in the Lib Dem’s DNA, and having these five Green Laws on the front page of our Manifesto shows our intent.

“From day one of the next Parliament we will have our green commitments on the table, from cleaning up the air we breathe, to greening the energy and transport we use.”

So waht are the five green laws?

Zero Carbon Bill

Introducing a Zero Carbon Britain Bill in the next parliament to end Britain’s adverse impact on climate change for good by 2050.

Zero Waste Bill

Treble fines and claw back £500 million for the taxpayer by clamping down on organisations which fly-tip to deliberately evade tax and review the tax structure across landfill, incineration and collection.

Green Homes Bill

New Green Homes Bill will insulate up to 10 million homes by 2025 and offer at least £100 a year off Council Tax for ten years when energy improvements are carried out.

Nature Bill

Establish the Natural Capital Committee on a statutory footing to provide advice to Government to ensure that nature is at the heart of government decision-making and that government departments are held to account for achieving progress against commitments to improving the natural environment.

Green Transport Bill

Transport has a significant role to play in reducing carbon emissions. In the UK, transport is responsible for around 25% of our carbon emissions and is the fastest growing source of carbon emissions. We will bring forward a comprehensive package of transport policies to continue to build a people-centred, sustainable, safe travel system that helps the economy grow.

A quick video summary of Lib Dem national policies

This 1 minute video from Sky News encapsulates what we're proposing to do:

The local dimension - A stronger local economy that will benefit everyone

South Gloucestershire is the economic powerhouse of the West of England and this has helped to keep unemployment well below the national average. But more needs to be done to ensure that our local economy benefits everyone.

We will:

1. Expand and promote apprenticeship schemes that provide real experience and prospects for our young people.
2. Work with businesses, schools and colleges to make sure people have the skills they need to help our local economy to thrive and create jobs.
3. Continue to improve broadband connectivity throughout rural and urban areas and to give residents more choice over their broadband provider.
4. Ensure even better support for new and existing businesses.
5. Keep local high streets the centres of our communities.

 Our record of action...

By working constructively with central government and the Local Economic Partnership we’ve helped to foster strong employment growth across South Gloucestershire.

This is an extract from the Liberal Democrat Vision for South Gloucestershire, our manifesto for the 2015 Local Elections.

TV programme - Steve's been on again / the elderly and inflation

Steve Webb was on TV again today, on the BBC 's Politics Show. He was talking about how the next Lib Dem manifesto will be developed, using lots of online discussions. If you missed the programme, for the next week you can see it on Politics Show latest edition - Steve's on towards the end.

There was also an interesting piece in the BBC West insert in the programme about old people and how the rate of inflation for what they buy is much higher than the average for the rest of us, because for example they spend a much higher proportion of their income on fuel. To see this (as text) follow this link: Old and Cold