As the UK gears up for the general election on July 4th, 2024, energy policies and net zero commitments are in the spotlight. With significant changes due to affect the industry, professionals in the energy assessment sector aim to get a grasp of the stances of the major political parties. This blog post provides an overview of the highlights from the Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat manifestos regarding net zero and energy policies.
Conservative Party Manifesto: “Clear Plan, Bold Action, Secure Future”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak launched the Conservative Party’s manifesto on June 11th, outlining a series of commitments and new initiatives:
- Net Zero by 2050: The Conservatives reaffirm their commitment to achieving net zero by 2050.
- Energy Efficiency Investments: A pledge to invest £6 billion over the next three years to improve energy efficiency in homes, aiming to make a million homes warmer.
- Energy Efficiency Voucher Scheme: Introduction of a voucher scheme to support households in installing energy efficiency measures and solar panels.
- Building Targets: Commitment to building 1.6 million homes during the next Parliament.
Notably, there is no specific mention of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) within the document.
Liberal Democrat Party Manifesto: “For a Fair Deal”
Launched by Sir Ed Davey on June 10th, the Liberal Democrat manifesto places a strong focus on climate change and achieving net zero by 2045. It promises the following actions:
- Heat Pump Incentives: Enhanced incentives for heat pump installations to cover real costs – they are yet to release the specific details of these incentives.
- Renewable Energy Investment: A goal for 90% of the UK’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030.
- MEES Reintroduction: Commitment to reintroduce MEES, requiring landlords to upgrade properties to EPC Band C or above by 2028.
- Ten-Year Emergency Upgrade Programme: A programme aimed at making homes warmer and cheaper to heat. Low-income houses will benefit from free insulation and heat pumps.
- Zero Carbon Standard: Immediate requirement for all new buildings to meet Zero-Carbon standards. In practical terms, this will involve more solar panels and a continued integration of new technologies.
Labour Party Manifesto: “Change”
Sir Keir Starmer unveiled the Labour Party manifesto on June 13th. It aims to position the UK as a clean energy superpower by 2030. They have set out the following goals:
- Net Zero Commitment: Continued commitment to the net zero target with an ambitious mission to lead the clean energy transition.
- Warm Homes Plan: A significant investment of £6.6 billion to upgrade 5 million homes, doubling current government plans. This includes grants and low-interest loans for insulation, solar panels, and low-carbon heating.
- MEES by 2030: Reintroduction of MEES by 2030 to help renters save on energy costs.
You can find more details on each party’s manifestos by visiting their official websites:
Liberal Democrat Manifesto 2024
Ultimately, the upcoming general election no doubt brings pivotal decisions that will shape the UK’s energy landscape. As energy assessors, staying informed about these political developments is essential to navigate the changes and continue contributing to the nation’s net zero goals.
