Responding to Keir Starmer’s speech in which he said that the Labour government has inherited a £22bn black hole in the nation’s finances, as well as a “societal black hole”, co-leader of the Green Party Carla Denyer MP said:

“Enduring more economic pain and hardship isn’t what people voted for. They were told they were voting for change. Not voting for things to get worse before they get better. Labour needs to be honest about the fact that they could choose to make things better for everyone if they were bolder and braver.

“What is being framed as tough choices is actually about political choices. People don’t need a constant reminder that the Tories broke Britain. They need a new approach, not misguided fiscal rules that are set to make things worse.  

“We must generate the funds needed for investment by shifting the burden away from the poorest onto the wealthiest. Labour’s refusal to tax the super-rich shows that business as usual is very much still in business.  

“Keir Starmer says the violent riots earlier this month exposed a deeply unhealthy society. But the health of a society can’t be improved if it is forced to swallow the same failed medicine. The government can choose to provide the investment our communities are crying out for. This would help create hope and unleash the goodness of people to improve their communities.” 

Responding to news that energy regulator Ofgem has raised the price cap by 9.5 per cent just before the onset of winter, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said: 

“Consumers are paying high prices for a crisis not of their making. This will be deeply worrying news for all those people already struggling to pay their bills. 

“The government has said that establishing GB Energy will reduce bills in the future, which would be welcome. However, that aim will only be achieved if the government invests in improving the energy efficiency of homes too. 

“We need a nationwide programme of government-backed, council-delivered home insulation starting immediately to help people keep their bills down for good.  

“We also now need the government to maintain the winter fuel payments for all pensioners and end means testing so that they know they can afford to keep warm. 

“We could reduce bills for the long term and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by building new homes that are easier and cheaper to heat and boosting insulation in existing homes. Insulating people’s homes means they can stay warm while using less energy, save money and produce fewer harmful carbon emissions.” 

Reacting to news that the government has given the go-ahead for the expansion of London City airport, deputy leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski, said:

“This decision flies in the face of action to cut emissions. A government that fails to tackle emissions from transport fails to take serious climate action.

“Expanding London City airport puts the interests of a small wealthy elite over the wellbeing of local people and the climate. This airport operates low-efficiency planes on routes where rail is a feasible alternative.

“Prioritising clean, affordable train travel over polluting air travel is a no-brainer, but Labour have demonstrated they just don’t get it.”  

Reacting to a new Natural England report that found nature-friendly farming schemes have boosted biodiversity, co-leader of the Green Party Adrian Ramsay MP said: 

“The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and we urgently need to address the enormous risk that habitat and biodiversity loss poses to our future.  

“Most farmers want to do the right thing for nature and this report clearly shows that Government support for nature-friendly farming pays off. Now we need to see more of it.

“Farmers have told me they need reassurance, certainty, and easier access to funding for nature-friendly farming, so it is very disappointing that the Labour Government has so far refused to commit to maintaining the current level of support payments. 

“I urge the Government to show leadership and not only commit to maintaining the current level of funding, but to listen to the many calls, including from the RSPB, National Trust and The Wildlife Trusts, for a massive increase in nature-friendly farming support. 

“We do not have to have an ‘either-or’ between nature restoration and food production; with more leadership from the Government, we can achieve both.”