In her speech at the party conference, Rachel Reeves will promise to “hardwire” net-zero emissions policies into the planning system. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty < p>Rachel Reeves will pledge to «hardwire» net-zero emissions policies into the planning system on Monday, unveiling a series of new steps aimed at boosting UK housing.
Labour's Shadow Chancellor, aides said she drew inspiration from Germany, where there is a «clear preference» for infrastructure projects that help meet green targets.
The focus on net zero is a notable change from Rishi Sunak, who last month put delaying some interim green goals at the forefront of the political reset.
Other measures in Labour's planning include increasing the amount of stamp duty foreigners must pay when buying property in the UK. to fund 300 new planners.
Ms Reeves also promised to look again at whether protections for buildings in the Green Belt should be weakened, although details of the proposed changes have been revealed with few details.
Conference speech
Changes to the planning will be announced as Ms Reeves addresses Labour's Liverpool conference, where the party is trying to demonstrate it has serious policies ready for government.
She will also announce that Labor will create a new Anti-Corruption Commissioner to recoup billions of pounds lost to fraud and waste during the Covid pandemic.
“We will appoint a Covid Anti-Corruption Commissioner with the necessary powers and powers to do whatever it takes to go after those who have ripped off the taxpayer, bringing them to justice and recovering every penny of taxpayers’ money they can.” she will say.
In the 2019 general election manifesto, the Conservatives promised to build 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s, but remain well below that target.
Sir Keir Starmer , the leader of the Labor Party, said yesterday he wants 1.5 million more homes built in Labour's first five-year term, which would also equate to 300,000 homes a year.
Ms Reeves will say in her speech: “If we are to stimulate investment, restore economic security and restart growth, then we must get Britain built again.”
“The Tories would do it. you believe that we can't build anything anymore. In fact, the biggest obstacle to infrastructure, investment and economic growth in this country is the Conservative Party itself.
“If the Tories won't build, if the Tories can't build, then we will. Overcoming the obstacles posed by our outdated planning system.
“Since 2012, decision-making time on national infrastructure has increased by 65 percent and now takes four years. The Labor Party supports builders, not blockers.»
«Making clear policies»
Labour will update its national policy statements within the first six months of taking office if they win the next general election, expected in the autumn 2024.
A Labor source said the changes would focus on «ensuring clear policies are set out by ministers detailing what should be built where.»
The source added: «We will also set clear targets, enshrining national priorities such as economic growth and net zero emissions into the planning system, as is done in Germany.»
All leading political parties support the goal of making the UK a net-zero carbon nation by 2050, a target similar to other countries around the world. The world is grappling with climate change
Last month, the Prime Minister lifted a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, arguing he was taking a “pragmatic” approach to achieving net zero.
The reference to Germany is a hint that the country's planning system is known for «giving a clear preference to infrastructure» that helps achieve net zero, according to a Labor source.
Stamp duty changes < p>Another policy would increase the stamp duty paid by non-UK residents on UK property purchases from two per cent to three per cent.
The money raised, estimated at £25 million a year, will be used to recruit more than 300 new public sector planners to speed up the approval process.
Ms Reeves will say: “Labour's job is to restore hope on our politics. Hope that allows us to look forward with confidence to a new era of economic security, because without security there is no hope.
“You can't dream big if you can't sleep well at night. The peace of mind that comes from knowing you have enough money to put aside for a rainy day and knowing that reliable government services will be available to you and your family when you need them.
“The strength that allows a society to be able to withstand global upheavals, because it is on these strong foundations of security that hope can arise.”
“The choice in elections is this. Another five years of chaos and uncertainty under the Conservatives, which left working people worse off, or a changed Labor Party was ready to strengthen the foundations of Britain, so working people's situation improved.»
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