There is a better, fairer, greener way to build the houses we need
Responding to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ speech to investors and developers today, Green Party Co-leader, and Green MP for Waveney Valley, Adrian Ramsay, said:
“Labour is right to identify the housing crisis and the need create the infrastructure needed to reach net zero as priorities for the new government.
“We will support Labour when it gets it right, and also offer alternatives when Labour is going off track.
“There is a better, fairer, greener way to build the houses we need for people.
“And there is better, fairer, greener way to create the infrastructure we need to meet the urgent need to shift our economy away from fossil fuels to renewables.
“Neither involves writing blank cheques for profit-motivated developers or trampling over the rights of local communities.
“Labour should look at our Right Homes, Right Place, Right Price Charter (1).
“This sets out how we can build affordable homes to buy and new council housing to rent. These need to be ecologically sustainable homes for the future with good public transport links, and the access to GP surgeries and schools that every community needs to thrive.
“These are not the homes being built today, which are out of the reach of too many people and do not come with the services that every community needs.
“Labour is right to end the de facto ban on onshore wind, but the new infrastructure that will be required to help us get to net zero as soon as possible, must not run roughshod over local communities.
“We need to take people with us as we transition to a new green economy. Green investment done the right way is a win for communities and the planet. That includes community ownership of new renewables.”
NOTES TO EDITORS