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Bright Blue: Help build wealth for those without it, don’t cut taxes on those with lots of it

By Press Releases

Bright Blue, the independent think tank, and abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, a trust working to improve living standards and personal finances for people on low to middle incomes, have today published a book, A wealth of opportunities, which offers a fresh and radical centre-right vision to help people on modest incomes build up and pass on wealth.

The book includes essays from 21 leading decision makers and opinion formers from different professional, political and social backgrounds, offering analysis and ideas across four key areas: acquiring assets; leveraging assets; sharing wealth; and drawing down later in life. 

The collection includes contributions from Sir Sajid Javid MP (Former Chancellor of the Exchequer), Lord David Willetts (President of the Resolution Foundation), Baroness Nicky Morgan (Former Secretary of State for Education), John Penrose MP (Chair of the Conservative Policy Forum), John Stevenson MP (Vice-Chair of the APPG for Taxation), Steve Webb (Former Minister for Pensions), Tim Leunig (Former Economic Adviser to the Chancellor of the Exchequer) and many more.

The Rt Hon Sir Sajid Javid MP, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, commented:

“Without a compelling centre-right vision on spreading wealth, we risk creating a generation that turns its back on the politicians who failed them. A generation that, without any capital of its own, becomes resentful of capitalism and capitalists.”

Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair of Bright Blue, commented:

“Especially in today’s economy, meaningful social mobility and security typically derives from income from assets rather than work. But the acquisition of most assets – homes, shares, businesses – is increasingly becoming the preserve of those with affluent parents. The centre-right should be deeply alarmed that Britain is becoming an inheritocracy rather than a meritocracy. 

“The centre-right rightly celebrates people building up and passing on wealth. But instead of wasting political capital and fiscal resource on cutting Inheritance Tax – which only helps people who already have lots of wealth – the focus should be on bold policies to help those with no or little wealth better acquire it and then leverage it.”

Key policy ideas offered in the essay collection include:

Acquiring assets

  • Government should offer a capital grant of £10,000 given to every young person at either age 25 or 30 to spend on any combination of four permitted uses: education and trending, deposit for a house, pension saving or starting a new business.
  • Relax constraints on high loan-to-income mortgages. 
  • Ease prudential regulations that deter banks from high loan-to-value lending.
  • Expand mortgage insurance schemes to give sufficient insurance protection, encouraging more lending to first-time buyers. 
  • Encourage longer-term fixed-rate mortgages, with 20-year fix-term mortgages with the ability to refinance as in the US.
  • Make it compulsory for rent payments to count towards a credit score.
  • Lift the cap on house price for what Lifetime ISAs can be spent on.
  • Offer bonds with a rate of return fixed above market rates, restricted to savers under 30.
  • Auto-enrolment pensions contributions for the self-employed, matching minimum employee rates rather than that of employers and employees combined. 
  • Give the self-employed the option to place up to half of their auto-enrolment pension contributions in an ISA.
  • Government should match pension contributions from the self-employed, with a cap on the total value of top-ups.

Leveraging assets

  • Raise the minimum contribution rates in pensions auto-enrolment from 8% to 12%.
  • Expand the range of providers that can offer Help to Save accounts to credit unions.
  • Allow banks to market and offer current account holders a Help to Save account.

Sharing wealth

  • Equalise taxation on ‘earned’ income from work and ‘unearned’ income from dividends, capital gains and rent.
  • Replace Council Tax with a Proportional Property Tax, with a flat 0.48% tax on residential property value.
  • Replace pensions tax relief with contributions-based bonuses, paid on individual and employer post-tax contributions and capped at £2,500 per year.
  • Reduce or remove the exemption from Inheritance Tax for certain asset classes, particularly agricultural property relief and business property relief.
  • Incorporate pension pot assets as taxable assets under Inheritance Tax. 
  • Remove the residence nil-rate bank for Inheritance Tax and extend the general tax-free allowance to £500,000.

Drawing down assets

  • Government should ask estates that qualify for Inheritance Tax and have not left money to charitable causes to contribute 5% of the estate’s value to a National Legacy Fund.

The policies advocated by particular individuals are not necessarily supported by other contributors to the essay collection.

 

Baroness Nicky Morgan, Former Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and Secretary of State for Education, commented:

“The uneven spread of assets in Britain, particularly housing and between generations, makes the delivery of social mobility exceptionally challenging. It is critical that, as the centre-right, we challenge this.”

John Penrose MP, Chair of the Conservative Policy Forum, commented:

“Britain taxes income in a thoroughly regressive way by systematically giving a better deal to the rich at the expense of the poor. The ‘haves’ are being subsidised by the ‘have-nots’. It undermines the fairness and legitimacy of our economy, our tax system and our society overall. By rebalancing our tax system from work to wealth, we would be better off.” 

John Stevenson MP, Vice-Chair of the APPG for Taxation, commented:

“The Conservative Party should never be seen as the party of high tax. Instead, we should aim to be seen as the party of fair tax. It being an unfair tax is what did for the Poll Tax – and Council Tax is now basically replicating this unfairness across the country. It is time to be bold and finally right the wrong that Council Tax has become.”

The Rt Hon David Willetts, President of the Resolution Foundation, commented:

“Assets matter much more than they ever did before. However, they are also distributed much less evenly than incomes. With no change in the distribution, the overall effect is to make our country feel less equitable.”

Karen Barker, Head of Policy and Research for abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, commented: 

“Wealth plays a critical and growing role in shaping individual opportunities, resilience and prosperity in this country. Indeed, wealth continues to rise as incomes remain stagnant, meaning inheritances are increasingly shaping life chances. This collection is an invaluable contribution to the policy debate highlighting the importance of ensuring people on low-to-middle incomes aren’t locked out of opportunities. It is also a timely demonstration that concern for these issues is not partisan- it extends across the political spectrum.” 

 

ENDS

Notes to editors:

To arrange an interview with a Bright Blue spokesperson or for further media enquiries, please contact Emily Taylor at emily@brightblue.org.uk or on 078414 19316.

  • Bright Blue is the independent think tank and pressure group for liberal conservatism.
  • This report is kindly in partnership with and sponsored by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust. Bright Blue retains full editorial control over all its written outputs. The sponsor does not necessarily endorse all of the report’s findings and ideas.
  • abrdn Financial Fairness Trust funds research, policy work and campaigning activities to tackle financial problems and improve living standards for people on low-to-middle incomes in the UK. It is an independent charitable trust registered in Scotland (SC040877).
  • Full list of contributors include: Sir Sajid Javid MP, Lord David Willetts, Baroness Nicky Morgan, John Penrose MP, John Stevenson MP, Steve Webb, Tim Leunig, Gerard Lyons, Arun Advani, David Sturrock, John Godfrey, Andrew O’Brien, John Oxley, Deven Ghelani, Sam Robinson, Sacha Romanovitch, Dr Rakib Ehsan, Emma Jones, Michael Johnson, Graeme Nuttall, Ryan Shorthouse and Thomas Nurcombe. These contributors and Bright Blue do not necessarily agree with each other’s recommendations.
  • Bright Blue’s Board includes Diane Banks, Philip Clarke, Alexandra Jezeph, Richard Mabey and Ryan Shorthouse.
  • Our advisory council can be found here. We also have 228 parliamentary supporters. Members of our advisory council and our parliamentary supporters do not necessarily endorse all our policy recommendations, including those included in this press release.

[Image: Deemerwha Studios]

March 25, 2024

Bright Blue: UK public want greater and greener development

By Press Releases

Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservatism, has today published Greater and greener development (attached), which is new polling analysis of UK public attitudes towards the importance of and potential policies for greater and greener housing and infrastructure development in the UK.

The polling provides strong policy ideas for — and a strong case to — the Government for improving the development levels of UK housing and infrastructure in a way that is consistent with reducing net zero emissions and protecting the environment.

The policies examined derived from the two major Bright Blue research papers that have been completed over the last year: Greater and greener homes: more homes, ready for net zero and Resilient neighbourhoods, powered by low-carbon energy.

The key findings from the polling include:

  • Half (50%) of the UK public said the climate risk they are most concerned about is extreme weather events, such as storms, for their own home and neighbourhood.
  • An overwhelming majority of the UK public (75%) support more green housing – such as housing with exceptionally low carbon emissions and high energy and water efficiency – being developed in their local area.
  • A majority (55%) of the public say they support new housing development in their local area if it meets high environmental standards.
  • A majority of the UK public (52%) claim that they are more likely to support a new development in their local area if it is particularly climate resilient.
  • A large majority of the UK public (65%) support new onshore wind power development, either unconditionally of its location or only in certain areas.
  • A plurality of the UK public (41%) think it should be easier to acquire planning permission to build onshore wind farms.
  • A majority of the UK public (68%) support the development of new solar farms, either unconditionally of its location or only in certain areas.
  • A plurality of the UK public (44%) believe that it should be easier to acquire planning permission to build solar farms.
  • When given a choice between different development priorities for English offshore waters, 53% of the UK public believe that offshore wind farms should be a priority, and 41% believe that floating solar farms should be a priority. By contrast, only 23% think that oil and gas platforms should be a priority.

 

Policies for greater and greener development

  • A majority of the UK public (59%) believe that local planning authorities should be rewarded by central government in exchange for proactive planning for more renewable energy infrastructure developments, such as onshore wind and solar power.
  • A large majority of the UK public (72%) think that it is important for community benefits to be offered to the local community when a new onshore wind turbine is proposed nearby.
  • A large majority of the UK public (71%) think that it is important for community benefits to be offered to the local community when a new solar power farm is proposed nearby.
  • The overwhelming preference among the UK public for community benefits is for money off energy bills, chosen by 46% of the UK public.
  • A majority of the UK public (66%) have said that the support of the local community should be needed to develop a new wind turbine.
  • A majority of the UK public (65%) support mandating that a greater proportion of new and existing buildings have solar panels fitted to them.

 

 Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair of Bright Blue, commented: 

“The UK public want to achieve two key objectives in housing and infrastructure policy: the socioeconomic, such as more and affordable homes for young people and more secure and affordable energy, and the environmental, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving biodiversity.

“It is evident that the UK public supports both greater and greener development. Interestingly, older people are the most enthusiastic about new renewable energy development such as onshore wind and solar. This is a clear message to central, combined and local governments up and down this country: get building.”

 

Alexander Stafford MP, Member of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, commented: 

“This polling uncovers a resounding public endorsement for this country to produce development that is both greater and greener. More, greener energy infrastructure and housing both enjoy widespread support across all levels of society. As this country remains committed to sustainable progress, the Government must look to bring both economic and environmental aims forward in unison. This analysis suggests some ways to do just that.”

 

Sam Hall, Director of the Conservative Environment Network, commented:

“To lower energy bills and housing costs while also addressing climate change, we have to build much more low-carbon energy infrastructure and housing. It is welcome to see that there is significant public support for building more clean energy infrastructure, despite politicians often hearing from an opposed, vocal minority. With the research finding that voters are more likely to support new wind farms and solar farms in their area in return for money off their bills, the government should introduce a mandatory minimum level of community benefit for residents next to new clean energy infrastructure projects.”

 

ENDS

Notes to editors:

To arrange an interview with a Bright Blue spokesperson or for further media enquiries, please contact Emily Taylor at emily@brightblue.org.uk or on 07841 419316.

  • Bright Blue is the independent think tank and pressure group for liberal conservatism.
  • This report is kindly sponsored by the European Climate Foundation. Bright Blue has had complete editorial control over the report. The report does not necessarily reflect the views of our sponsor.
  • The polling was conducted by Survation between the 8th and 14th of February 2024. It consisted of a nationally representative sample of 2,243 UK adults. 
  • Bright Blue’s Board includes Diane Banks, Philip Clarke, Alexandra Jezeph, Richard Mabey and Ryan Shorthouse.
  • Our advisory council can be found here. We also have 228 parliamentary supporters. Members of our advisory council and our parliamentary supporters do not necessarily endorse all our policy recommendations, including those included in this press release.
  • Comments from the Conservative Environment Network do not necessarily mean Parliamentarians from their caucus endorse or support the views or policies put forward by this report.
March 9, 2024

Bright Blue: Too little, too late from the Tories

By Press Releases

For further comment or to arrange an interview please get in touch with Emily Taylor: emily@brightblue.org.uk or 07841 419316

Responding to the Budget 2024, Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair of Bright Blue, said:

“The Chancellor has set the right path for taxation, focussing on cutting National Insurance rather than Income Tax. This is good, both intergenerationally and economically, since it rewards a younger, working-aged population who derive almost all their income from working, rather than from dividends, rents and pensions. 

“Frankly, however, the measures to mitigate the perverse ‘double taxation’ of work are too little, too late from the Tories. Instead of the Chancellor using his fiscal headroom for tax cuts and reliefs to all sorts of special interests, it would have been fairer and more effective to have just cut National Insurance – both for employers and employees – more deeply now.

“There are four essential activities that people can do to both improve their lives and contribute to the greater good: work more, raise children, help out in their local community and build up assets. A Conservative Government’s Budget should be focused on supporting people – especially younger generations and those on modest incomes – to do those very things. The truth is that the Tories missed what is likely to be one of their last opportunities for some time to really do so.

“The bottom line is that taxation, public debt and immigration are all at record levels after 14 years of Conservative Governments – the very opposite of what the public voted and expected them to do. The Government has failed to take the bold steps necessary to fix this.”

“This safety-first Budget means somewhat bolder policies are likely to be offered later in the year – first in an Autumn Statement and then during an election campaign – when the economy will have strengthened. But, by then, it will likely be too late.”

 

The 2024 Spring Budget adopted two Bright Blue’s policies:

 

Taxation

  • The main rate of employee National Insurance Contributions (NICs) will be cut by a further 2 percentage points.
  • The main rate of Class 4 NICs for the self-employed will be cut by a further 2 percentage points.
  • The non-dom tax regime will be abolished and replaced with a system where new arrivals to the UK pay the same tax as everyone else after four years.
  • The higher rate of Capital Gains Tax on property will be cut from 28% to 24%.

Thomas Nurcombe, Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“There are certainly some steps in the right direction. The decision to cut National Insurance for employees and the self-employed is right, economically and morally.

“However, the Chancellor could have been a lot bolder, by going beyond the Budget’s measures and further rebalancing the weight of taxation away from work to wealth. Deeper cuts to National Insurance would create an intergenerationally fairer tax system, and may prove critical in winning over working-age voters in the forthcoming election.

“While the reduction in the higher rate of Capital Gains Tax on property may also free up some housing supply for first-time buyers, it could also decrease the supply of rentals and thus push the costs of renting higher, which are already almost half of one’s income for many graduates living in London.” 

 

Savings

  • Introduction of a new UK ISA allowing an additional £5,000 annual investment in UK equities tax-free

Thomas Nurcombe, Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“The idea of a British ISA is, in principle, a sound idea. In practice, however, very few people will be in a position to allocate above £20,000 each year to savings. When only a third of people have over £1,000 in a savings account, having an additional £5,000 ISA limit is a regressive and wasteful policy.” 

 

Pensions

  • Pension funds required to publicly disclose their investment returns and a breakdown of their UK investments.
  • Introduction of the Value for Money (VFM) pensions framework, whereby pension schemes will be required to compare their performance against at least two schemes managing over £10 billion in assets, with the threat of the scheme closing to new entrants or winding up in the case of poor outcomes for savers.

Bartek Staniszewski, Senior Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“The performance of UK pension schemes has, in recent years, been very poor, especially in comparison to the performance of pension funds abroad. For a British pensioner who has contributed £1,500 a year for 40 years, at the time they retire, they will have almost £150,000 less than they would if they had invested with the average pension fund from abroad instead.

“As such, it is good for the Government to try and tackle the issue. However, simply threatening to close the schemes that underperform does nothing to address the reasons behind their underperformance, like the lack of economies of scale among the plethora of small UK pension funds.”

 

Families

    • High Income Child Benefit Charge to be assessed on a household basis by April 2026.
  • Increase in the threshold of the Child Benefit Charge to £60,000 and halving the rate at which Child Benefit is repaid

Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair of Bright Blue, commented:

“Working families, especially one-earner couples and single parents, will benefit from the increase in the threshold for the Child Benefit Charge.

“Enabling HMRC to assess household, not just individual, income could potentially be a very radical and welcome change. There are other absurdities in the tax system which wrongly penalise one-earner families, such as eligibility for the Early Years Free Entitlement if someone earns above £100,000, which could also be rectified.”

 

Social security

  • Budgeting Advance Loans’ repayment period increased from 12 to 24 months.
  • The £90 application fee for Debt Relief Orders (DROs) abolished.
  • Household Support Fund extended for an extra six months.
  • Introduction of new claimant commitments within the Additional Jobcentre Support pilot scheme.

Bartek Staniszewski, Senior Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“The cost-of-living crisis is still with us; around 4 in 10 adults continue to struggle to afford to pay for energy bills.  As such, an extension of the Household Support Fund – intended to mitigate the effects of the crisis – is the right move.

“Increasing the repayment period for Budgeting Advance Loans is a nigh-zero-cost measure that will give Universal Credit recipients some more flexibility – so often needed when struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, abolishing the fee for DRO applications will prevent those locked into debt from refraining from applying on the fear that the application is rejected, ensuring that more of those who need a DRO receive one.

“Finally, while it is right to provide better support for those who are struggling, that should come with higher expectations. As such, we welcome the Government increasing the number of times Universal Credit recipients must undertake a claimant commitment within the current Additional Jobcentre Support pilot scheme.” 

 

Housing

  • £242 million for 8,000 homes in Canary Wharf and Barking Riverside.
  • Launch of a new £20m Community-Led Housing scheme.
  • Reduction of the top 28% Capital Gains Tax rate on residential property sale to 24%.
  • Stamp Duty relief on purchases of multiple dwellings abolished.
  • Mortgage interest payment relief on furnished holiday lettings (FHLs) abolished.
  • £7 billion over the next five years for Local Housing Allowance rates to increase to the thirtieth percentile of local market rents.

Bartek Staniszewski, Senior Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“What was actually announced on housing was, overall, disappointing. As much as the measures announced are good for what they are, the sums and changes involved are much too small to make even a dent in the enormous housing crisis that this country is facing.

“Most importantly, they do nothing to address the structural problems – such as the cost of land and the prohibitive planning system – that cause the housing crisis in the first place and, most of all, hurt those looking to get onto the housing ladder.

“The biggest announced expenditure on housing, the increase in Local Housing Allowance, is illustrative of this short-term approach; the Government spends more to subsidise renters, but it does not spend more to deliver more social housing.”

 

Energy and the environment

    • The freeze to fuel duty, in place since 2011, will be extended by another year, until March 2025.
  • The Government will extend the sunset clause on the Energy Profits Levy on oil and gas firms by another year, to March 2029.
  • A £120 million top up for the Green Industries Growth Accelerator to help build supply chains for offshore wind and carbon capture and storage.
  • £1 billion for the latest Contracts for Difference Allocation Round (Round Six), including £800 million for offshore wind farms.

Will Prescott, Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“The decision to extend once again the cut in fuel duty is unsurprising but disappointing. Cuts to fuel duty disproportionately benefit more affluent people, who are much more likely to own a car. Tax cuts should be targeted on income from work.

“The Chancellor’s move to extend the windfall tax profits levy on oil and gas companies is logical and welcome. With public finances under strain and fuel industry profits still artificially inflated, largely because of the war in Ukraine, it is fair to expect a larger contribution from those firms.”

 

Public sector productivity

  • The NHS will receive an additional £3.4 billion, doubling investment in NHS technological and digital transformation.
  • £800 million to boost productivity across other public services, outside of the NHS including:
  • Committing £230 million to deliver pilot schemes of police technology like facial recognition.
  • Committing £17 million to accelerate DWP’s digital transformation.
  • Committing £14 million for public sector research and innovation infrastructure.
  • Piloting the use of AI solutions to support planning authorities to streamline their local plan development processes.

Sarah Kuszynski, Research Assistant at Bright Blue, commented:

“At a time when taxes are high and public finances are stretched, it is important to try and achieve a smarter, more agile state – a more productive state, as the Chancellor said, rather than a bigger one.

The Chancellor is banking a lot on AI-based solutions to help Britain’s ailing public services, with a Productivity Plan that contains a package of reforms to catalyse digital transformation and growth. However, AI is still a nascent technology. And the budgets set for public services beyond this parliament are very tight indeed.” 

 

ENDS

Notes to editors

To arrange an interview with a Bright Blue spokesperson or for further media enquiries, please contact Emily Taylor at emily@brightblue.org.uk or on 07850 684474.

  • Bright Blue is the independent think tank and pressure group for liberal conservatism.
  • Bright Blue’s Board includes Diane Banks, Philip Clarke, Alexandra Jezeph, Richard Mabey and Ryan Shorthouse.
  • Our advisory council can be found here. We also have 227 parliamentary supporters. Members of our advisory council and our parliamentary supporters do not necessarily endorse all our policy recommendations, including those included in this press release.
March 6, 2024

Bright Blue: Clean Air Zones need improving not abolishing

By Home, Press Releases
Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservatism, has today published a new report: Up in the air? Delivering clean air in a socially just way. The report analyses the scale of, impact of and solutions for air pollution in England’s deprived areas.

 

The report focuses on the impact of and policies for two sectors that are especially responsible for air pollution in deprived areas: transport and domestic burning, which are the biggest contributors to NOx and PM2.5 air pollutants. 

The report is based on findings of focus groups with people living in different deprived areas of three English cities: Birmingham, Liverpool and London.

Action on air pollution has become increasingly politicised in recent years, which risks stalling necessary progress on reducing air pollution. This report proposes seven new policy recommendations to reduce air pollution, but ones that support rather than penalise those living in deprived areas and ones that command public support.

Will Prescott, Researcher at Bright Blue and lead author of the report, commented:

“People will be far more likely to support Clean Air Zones if they don’t unduly penalise the least well off. We need sensible adjustments to Clean Air Zones that offer an equitable way to improve cleaner air quality in England’s deprived areas.”

Alexander Stafford MP, member of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, commented:

“We must ensure that our transition towards cleaner air is a just transition and that we bring everyone with us as we move towards cleaner air. Policies which ignore the needs of the least well-off are as useless as policies which will not provide adequate air pollution reduction – these objectives must be balanced. This very detailed report sets out the difficult path that policymakers must tread, and presents real strategies to overcome these issues.”

Jo Gideon MP, Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central, commented:

“This report from Bright Blue highlights a crucial truth: addressing air pollution demands a balance between environmental progress and social justice. It is not acceptable if measures to improve air quality damage our local economy and risk jobs, and measures to improve air quality must not merely move the problem elsewhere. A holistic approach is needed to improve air quality, to make sure the harmful effects of air pollution are no longer felt across people’s lifetimes. Implementing policies that target pollution without penalizing the vulnerable is key to a cleaner, fairer future.”

 

Transport

  • Require Clean Air Zones (CAZs) to differentiate charges for driving in inner cities and outer urban areas.

Local authorities and the Mayor of London have discretion as to how much vehicles are charged for entering a CAZ.

To date, London ULEZ is the only CAZ that covers almost an entire urban area. When the ULEZ expanded on 31 August 2023 to include the entire territory under the jurisdiction of the Greater London Authority, all non-compliant vehicles became liable to pay a £12.50 daily charge to drive within the zone. This is notwithstanding that the quality of public transport is significantly worse in outer London than it is in inner London and outer London residents are more car-dependent as a result.

We recommend that central government require that local authorities and the Mayor of London introduce differentiated charging regimes between their inner city and outer urban areas for any city-wide CAZ, to reflect the varying availability of public transport.  

  • Clean Air Zones (CAZs) should provide exemptions for all Blue Badge holders.

Local authorities and the Mayor of London have discretion as to whether they wish to apply any exemptions for any road charging schemes, such as CAZs. Local authorities may grant discounts or exemptions for Blue Badge holders.

Reflecting this, the cities with Class D CAZs, that is those CAZs that charge non-compliant private vehicles to enter, have provided different exemptions for disabled residents. For example, Bristol’s CAZ introduced temporary exemptions for Blue Badge holders, while Birmingham’s CAZ did not provide any exemptions for Blue Badge holders.

We recommend that central government require local authorities and the Mayor of London to grant exemptions to all Blue Badge holders in Class D CAZs. As the clearest legal indicator of disability, Blue Badge holder status would be the fairest way to protect disabled people from the adverse consequences of charging CAZs.

  • Enable local authorities to strive for ‘reasonable profits’ from their charging Clean Air Zones (CAZs) to fund targeted, generous scrappage schemes in the short term.

Local authorities or the Mayor of London cannot set charges in CAZs or the ULEZ to raise revenue. Any additional revenue raised from CAZs must be reinvested to “facilitate the achievement of local transport policies”.

To provide support to those needing to upgrade non-compliant vehicles, the UK Government provided funding for two of the cities with Class D CAZs (Birmingham and Bristol), but did not provide any support for London’s ULEZ scrappage scheme, which was entirely funded by the GLA itself. Unfortunately, the support available to vehicle owners has not proved enough to cover the cost of purchasing compliant vehicles.

We recommend the UK central government allow local and combined authorities to pursue ‘reasonable profits’ from their CAZs, so long as those profits are only used to provide more generous scrappage schemes that are specifically targeted at those from deprived areas.

  • The Government should immediately pilot a voluntary road pricing scheme for all road users ahead of a national rollout, that includes a discount for those on low incomes.

We recommend that, to gradually detoxify per-mile road pricing, the UK government immediately trial a road pricing scheme for all road users. It would be an ‘opt in’ scheme, with those volunteering to participate being exempt from Fuel Duty. An immediate set of pilots would lay the groundwork for a national rollout of road pricing schemes from around 2035. To incentivise participation in the trial, government might consider what sorts of monetary incentives would be appropriate.

Because of the risk that the introduction of a road pricing scheme slows the adoption of electric vehicles, government could also introduce a temporary ‘green miles’ scheme that offers a certain proportion of discounted or free miles to those electric vehicles. This would be phased out over time. 

We further recommend that such a scheme provide a ‘free mileage’ which means allowing motorists to drive a set number of miles before they would have to start paying. This would be targeted, with those from deprived areas, those living in areas with inadequate access to public transport, as well as disabled people, receiving higher free mileage allowances than the general population. 

 

Domestic burning

  • Amend the Clean Air Act 1993 to permit local authorities to ban completely dometic burning in smoke control areas on days when the DAQI score is forecast to be at a level harmful to human health.

Local authorities may currently designate certain areas to be smoke control areas. In those areas, domestic burning is prohibited unless it is done using an ‘exempt appliance’, that is a Defra-approved stove, or, if the stove is not an exempt appliance, the burning is carried out with a Defra-approved fuel. While Defra-approved stoves and fuels produce less PM2.5 emissions than non-approved stoves or fuels, they still produce substantial emissions that local authorities cannot stop. This is especially significant given that domestic burning is now the largest single source of PM2.5 emissions in the UK.

To help address this problem, we recommend that local authorities be given the power to ban domestic burning completely on days when air pollution is forecast to be harmful to human health. Exemptions would be available for the very small number of households with no alternative source of heating.

There are several ways to communicate these temporary bans to the public. Australia provides several examples of these. Australia communicates regional fire bans through a combination of announcements on radio, television and internet weather forecasts, social media updates, and government agency websites. Although in a different context – to stop outdoor burning to prevent the outbreak of bushfires rather than to stop domestic burning to reduce concentrations of air pollution – these approaches could be used to communicate when the bans are in effect. 

  • Ban the sale of new stoves that emit more than 150g of PM2.5 for every gigajoule of energy produced

The UK recently banned the installation of new stoves that failed to meet the new Ecodesign standards, meaning stoves that emit up to 375g of PM2.5 for every gigajoule of energy produced.

However, Ecodesign stoves still produce PM2.5 emissions 750 times greater per hour than an HGV vehicle, and more than 450 times more PM2.5 emissions per hour than a gas boiler. As such, even the new standards still permit far higher than acceptable emissions of PM­2.5.

While we do not support an outright ban on the installation of new stoves, we recommend that Defra further tighten emissions standards to ensure that no new stoves emit more than 150g of PM2.5 for every gigajoule of energy produced, which is the official standard in the Nordic countries.

  • Warning labels to be added to all new and refurbished stoves.

There is little public awareness of the harmful medical effects that domestic burning causes not only to people who burn indoors themselves, but to their neighbours. This is reflected in the recent increase in sales of stoves in recent years. It is also reflected in the mistaken belief among many people, especially among more affluent households, that domestic burning is a safer, more environmentally friendly way of heating one’s home than gas boilers.

New stoves are required to have an energy rating label attached, but not a health warning.  The UK’s statutory guidance for combustion appliances, which includes stoves, requires them “to incorporate an appropriate means of warning of a release of carbon monoxide”. However, the guidance contains no requirement for new stoves to contain labels warning about the negative health consequences of the outdoor pollution that stoves emit, particularly emissions of PM­2.5. 

We recommend that Defra require that all new stoves have mandatory warning labels attached that specifically highlight the negative medical consequences of the outdoor air pollution that even Defra-approved stoves still produce.

 

Matt Towner, Programme Director of the Health effects of air pollution programme at Impact on Urban Health, said:

“Most people living in the UK breathe dangerously high levels of air pollution every day. From increased rates of cancer to heart disease, asthma, and even links to dementia, air pollution is having an immense impact on our lives.

“And some people are more affected than others: Children, Black people and people from other minoritised communities, and people living in areas of deprivation in our towns and cities.

“But there’s good news: air pollution can be fixed. Bright Blue’s new report provides useful recommendations for Government to start improving air quality in a way that supports the health of those most affected.”

Livi Elsmore, Campaign Manager of the Healthy Air Coalition, commented:

“This is an important report, that shines a light on the opportunities for ambitious clean air policies that protect our health while promoting fairness by design.

Air pollution from road transport and burning wood at home harms our health when we breathe it in, and all levels of government must take action to reduce pollution levels. Clean air zones are one tried and tested method of reducing harmful pollution, quickly and efficiently. 

We welcome and support proposals for cleaning up toxic air that do not place undue burden on the least well-off, or those least able to switch to cleaner transport and home heating options.”

Jane Burston, CEO of the Clean Air Fund, comments:

“It’s crucial that clean air policies, which are designed to improve health for people primarily living in urban areas, are designed with the most vulnerable in mind. The recommendations in this report take an evidence-based, people-centred approach, which is crucial for the successful introduction of any clean air policy, and will help to win support from affected communities and thereby secure cleaner air for the longer term.”

Caitie Gillett, Clean Air Programme Manager at the Conservative Environment Network, comments:

“This report highlights the progress made over the last 20 years to improve air quality. But, it also reminds us that there is still a significant amount to be done to reduce our exposure to air pollution and offers some tangible policies to bring it down to safer levels. In particular, it is welcome to see measures to reduce pollution from burning in the home – such as fireplaces and stoves. Air pollution from indoor burning is a significant portion of harmful air pollution, yet is often neglected by policymakers. In particular, improving stove standards and adding labels to all new and refurbished stoves are pragmatic policies which could help clean up the air.”

 

ENDS

 Notes to editors

To arrange an interview with a Bright Blue spokesperson or for further media enquiries, please contact Emily Taylor at emily@brightblue.org.uk or 07841 419316. 

  • Bright Blue is the independent think tank and pressure group for liberal conservatism.
  • This report is kindly sponsored by the Impact on Urban Health. Bright Blue has had complete editorial control over the report. The report does not necessarily reflect the views of our sponsor.
  • Our advisory council can be found here. We also have 230 parliamentary supporters. Members of our advisory council, the Bright Blue Community and our parliamentary supporters do not necessarily endorse all our policy recommendations.
December 21, 2023

Bright Blue to lead revival of centre-right through launch of new community

By Home, Press Releases
Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservatism, has today announced the launch of its new Community, bringing together a number of MPs and Peers, as well as Bright Blue staff, fellows and members, to work intensely with Bright Blue on shaping and promoting liberal conservative policies in 2024 and beyond.

 

Bright Blue’s Community is a collection of like-minded people inside and outside Parliament who will work closely with Bright Blue to shape and promote liberal conservative policies to influence the manifestos of the 2024 general election and beyond. 

The Community is launched alongside the appointment of 8 new associate fellows – young talented thinkers and campaigners who are the future of the UK centre-right. Bright Blue is appointing a new Executive Director in the New Year to work with our Executive Chair, Ryan Shorthouse, to strengthen Bright Blue’s leadership.

The Community sits alongside Bright Blue’s 220 Parliamentary Supporters and our around 1,000 members.

Bright Blue’s Community seeks to ensure the centre-right in the UK prioritises liberal, meritocratic, institutionalist and internationalist policies that foster economic, environmental and social responsibility. 

Bright Blue’s Community seeks to make the centre-right focus on 8 key principles in its policymaking: pro-market rather than free-market; optimistic about human potential, technological progress and the future of our society; evidence-led rather than ideological in tacking problems; defending and reforming longstanding institutions; better rewarding economic and social contribution; tackling social, economic and intergenerational injustices; celebrating open and integrated societies; and thwarting climate change and biodiversity decline.

Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair of Bright Blue, commented:

“The centre-right in UK politics needs reviving. Bright Blue is bringing together a community of people inside and outside parliament who want a flourishing liberal, meritocratic, pro-market, internationalist and institutionalist centre-right in the UK in the years ahead. 

“A centre-right that is economically, socially and environmentally responsible – and does more to attract and support younger people – is one that in the years ahead can win the hearts and minds of the public, and can change the country for the better.”

Current members of the Bright Blue Community include:

  1. The Rt Hon. Sir Robert Buckland MP
  2. The Rt Hon. Damian Green MP
  3. The Rt Hon. Dame Caroline Dinenage MP
  4. Dr Lisa Cameron MP
  5. Lord Ed Vaizey
  6. John Penrose MP
  7. Damian Collins MP
  8. John Stevenson MP
  9. The Rt Hon. Alun Cairns MP
  10. Stephen Hammond MP
  11. Chris Clarkson MP
  12. The Rt Hon. Chloe Smith MP
  13. Flick Drummond MP 
  14. Alexander Stafford MP
  15. Peter Aldous MP
  16. Simon Fell MP
  17. Ben Everitt MP
  18. David Simmonds MP
  19. Selaine Saxby MP
  20. Bob Blackman MP
  21. Jane Hunt MP
  22. Sally-Ann Hart MP
  23. Matt Warman MP
  24. Baroness Nicky Morgan
  25. Mark Garnier MP
Co-Head of Social Policy The Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland MP, former Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, commented:

“One Nation Conservatism is all about supporting the individual as a member of a greater society. That means the Government has a responsibility to look after vulnerable people, and with responsibility comes challenges. We have a strained judicial system, disabled and neurodiverse people facing social isolation, a seemingly intractable immigration crisis, hardship brought on by the increased cost of living and an economic malaise left in the wake of a global pandemic and a war in Europe.

“In seeking to address these issues, policymakers must think hard about how attention and resources are being applied to empower and support those who bear the brunt of the challenges of 2023 and beyond. 

“To that end, I am thrilled to assume the role of Head of Social Policy in the Bright Blue Community – a vibrant group of thinkers who share a commitment to liberal conservative ideals, and who will strive to advance a set of policies that achieve progress for our country while ensuring vulnerable people are not left behind.”

Co-Head of Economic and Employment Policy John Penrose MP, the former UK Anti-Corruption Champion and Co-Chair of the Inclusive Growth APPG, commented:

“Bright Blue is a doughty champion of liberal conservatism, so I’m delighted to be part of their thought-leadership group. A combination of Artificial Intelligence, distance working and global increases in the supply of educated middle-class graduates from developing nations will mean huge changes for millions of employers and their staff, and disrupt the service industries which underpin the UK’s economy. How we work will inevitably look different as a result of these changes, and Bright Blue will be a great forum to generate new ideas to help British workers and the UK’s economy emerge as winners as the world adjusts to these seismic shifts.”

Head of Education Policy Flick Drummond MP, Member of the Education Select Committee, commented:

“Equal opportunities are a fundamental aspiration for any country. The cornerstone of achieving this is education. A strong educational foundation is essential to offer each child the chance to prosper and pave the way for a brighter future. It is the gateway to higher-paying careers, amplifies social mobility and serves as the bedrock of national prosperity.

“I am glad to be joining the Bright Blue Community as Head of Education, a role from which I will continue to push for innovative and bold liberal conservative solutions to the challenges facing our education system. Bright Blue has shown a commendable commitment to fostering an environment where every child can thrive. I am excited to play a role in progressing these ideals as part of a dedicated group striving to empower all.”

Co-Head of Energy and Environment Policy Alexander Stafford MP, Member of the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, commented:

“At a time when for the UK public, environmental and energy concerns stand out as some of the most urgent issues, it is of paramount importance that we continue to advocate for pragmatic, yet bold, policies that will shape a greener and more sustainable Britain – one that restores our place as international torchbearers for energy security and environmental sustainability. I am excited to join the Bright Blue Community as Co-Head of Environment and Energy Policy, a position from which I will continue to advocate for policy that will allow the UK to build back greener. I am confident that the Bright Blue Community of MPs will hold a pivotal role in the years ahead, and I am looking forward to driving positive change not only in the realm of environmental policy, but also across a range of economic and social issues.”

Co-Head of Energy and Environment Policy Peter Aldous MP, Chair of the British Offshore Oil and Gas Industry APPG and Vice-Chair of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy APPG, commented:

“The public remains deeply concerned about climate change and recognises the ongoing need for green measures that are fair and which support them. In our journey towards achieving a net-zero future, it is vital to have advocates championing a liberal conservative vision for a greener tomorrow. I am delighted to join the Bright Blue Community as Co-Head of Environment and Energy Policy, where I will promote climate-friendly and practical policies that will benefit all and will create exciting new job opportunities. 

“The Bright Blue Community will be a group of ardent advocates for societal improvement, not limited to environmental and energy matters but extending to economic and social policy. Together, we are working towards a fairer and more prosperous Britain.”

Head of Housing Policy Ben Everitt MP, Member of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee, commented:

“I’m very pleased to join Bright Blue, heading the Housing Community. Housing is so important for our future and either enables or supports nearly every other aspect of public policy.

I want to bring my years of knowledge gained in politics and the private sector, and my experience cultivating industry leader’s voices as Chair of the APPG for Housing Market and Housing Delivery, to champion vital policy research and help shape the Conservative Party’s long term strategy.”

Bob Blackman MP, Member of Parliament for Harrow East, commented:

“Liberal conservatism is all about being optimistic about human potential. Currently, not enough people have the opportunities to go as far as their hard work deserves. The Conservative Party needs a fresh vision and bold solutions to tackle pressing challenges: homelessness, youth empowerment, and technological advancements, to name but a few. Bright Blue’s leadership in solving these challenges through ideas that value and reward both economic and social contributions will advance our country’s prosperity and our Party’s future.”

Selaine Saxby MP, Member of Parliament for North Devon, commented:

“In today’s dynamic but volatile politics, it is crucial to have a united community to champion liberal conservatism. By fostering a commitment to liberal values, the Conservative Party can forge a direction that aligns not only with public expectations from their leaders but also with the nation’s requirements amidst numerous challenges—be they political, economic, or social. I look forward to joining Bright Blue’s group and am sure that, together, we will be able to make the decisions that take the country and Party forward.”

Dr Lisa Cameron MP, Member of Parliament for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, commented:

“Amidst growing voices from both extremes that stoke divides, we need ideas from the centre-right that bring people together, equip them to take control of their lives, make the most of the opportunities presented to them, and spread affluence equitably across all four nations. Bright Blue’s new group will be of great benefit to our politics by charting a course for the future of the Conservative Party and the country.”

The Rt Hon. Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Member of Parliament for Gosport, commented:

“It is vital we demonstrate the benefits of the centre ground through a compassionate and pragmatic conservatism that champions fairness and opportunity for all the country’s citizens. Bringing together like-minded liberal conservatives will represent a huge asset to our political landscape and I am confident that Bright Blue’s new initiative will champion these voices in a way that is both constructive and empowering.”

David Simmonds MP, Member of Parliament for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, commented:

“I truly believe that our nation and democracy are best served by Liberal, One Nation values. At every level of Government, elected officials should look to these principles to ensure a promising future for both the country and the Conservative Party. Instead of putting the most vulnerable at a disadvantage, our policies and laws should actively secure the rights and opportunities for all, spanning policy areas, from housing to immigration. Our political landscape is calling for a positive shift, and I’m confident that this group of MPs and Peers has the capability to deliver this change.”

Chris Clarkson MP, Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton, commented:

“New ideas are needed to constantly revitalise the Conservative Party and ensure our core principles stay relevant to our society. These must stem from liberal values, emphasising economic and social responsibility whilst ensuring a safety net for those who need it most. Our Party has always been one that champions equality of opportunity and this should always be our North Star. Bright Blue’s open, progressive-conservative principles foster this legacy for the next generation, enabling those who can take up the advantages of our society, without leaving behind those who cannot.”

The Rt Hon. Chloe Smith MP, Member of Parliament for Norwich North, commented:

“Bright Blue are energetic and ambitious in articulating good ideas and providing the evidence and connections that help liberal Conservatism to win important arguments in the public service.”

Simon Fell MP, Member of Parliament for Barrow and Furness, commented:

“Elections are won in the centre ground, and after a divisive few years, the people of Britain are craving a calmer, more pragmatic, politics that speaks with compassion rather than defining itself against others. Conservatism is about creating the ladder of opportunity, gearing the state to give everyone, no matter their background or geography, a fair chance. I look forward to working with Bright Blue on their new project, helping shape the new ideas we need to challenge and refresh our approach to delivering for the British people.”

 

ENDS

Notes to editors

To arrange an interview with a Bright Blue spokesperson or for further media enquiries, please contact Emily Taylor at emily@brightblue.org.uk or 07841 419316. 

  • Bright Blue is the independent think tank and pressure group for liberal conservatism.
  • Our advisory council can be found here. We also have 220 parliamentary supporters. Members of our advisory council, the Bright Blue Community and our parliamentary supporters do not necessarily endorse all our policy recommendations.
  • Bright Blue is appointing a new Executive Director in the New Year to work with our Executive Chair, Ryan Shorthouse, to strengthen Bright Blue’s leadership.
  • Bright Blue’s new Associate Fellows include: David Thomas, John Oxley, Dr Rakib Ehsan, Isabella Wallersteiner, James Cowling, Joseph Tetlow, Max Anderson and Phoebe Arslanagić-Little.
December 18, 2023

Bright Blue: Abolish the ‘triple veto’ planning policy on onshore wind

By Home, Press Releases
Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservatism, has today published a new report, Resilient neighbourhoods, powered by low-carbon energy, offering new policy recommendations to reform planning to facilitate an increase in the generation capacity of the three main renewable energy technologies in England: solar, onshore wind and offshore wind.

The report examines the impact of and recent changes to planning policy for solar, onshore wind and offshore wind, concluding that recent approaches have been inconsistent.

The report’s recommendations therefore flow from four key principles:

  1. The UK needs to pursue the best net zero energy transition, not simply the quickest.
  2. Planning processes need to strike an effective compromise between development delivery, community engagement and protecting the environment.
  3. The role of planning in energy decarbonisation varies depending on the decarbonisation pathways pursued, including the technologies prioritised and the balance between technical and behavioural solutions.
  4. The role of planning should not be viewed in isolation, but as interconnected with other public policy instruments.
Professor Richard Cowell, author of the report, commented:

“The UK has already achieved significant progress in decarbonising the power sector, but more still needs to be done. Replacing the ‘triple veto’ policy concerning onshore wind developments could lead to a renaissance of onshore wind in England.

“By 2050, our renewable energy generation capacity needs to increase by at least fivefold but in the last couple of years government efforts to facilitate this have been negligible. We need bold action.”

Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair of Bright Blue, commented:

“Britain urgently needs to get building – and renewable energy development, in particular, for both economic and environmental reasons. If we as a nation are going to make better long-term decisions for future generations, then ensuring there is much more renewable energy capacity – particularly onshore wind – is absolutely vital.”

This report recommends nine original policies to boost solar, onshore wind and offshore wind energy capacity:

1. Abolish the ‘triple veto’ planning policy for onshore wind from the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

After the 2015 general election, the Government took forward its manifesto commitment to “halt the spread of subsidised onshore wind farms” and “change the law so that local people have the final say on wind farm applications”. Consequently, new non-statutory guidance for onshore wind was added to the NPPF. This, in effect, created a triple veto on planning policy requirements for onshore wind in the NPPF: proposals have to be located in an identified spatial zone, impacts have to be appropriately addressed, and proposals have to demonstrate community support.

We support the abolition of the triple veto due to the significant barriers it creates for the development of new onshore wind schemes in England.

For instance, there has been no obligation on Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to identify areas suitable for onshore wind to support the first test, without which wind energy development is precluded. In addition, onshore wind farms over 50MW were taken out of the fast-tracked, central, NSIP consenting processes, and instead passed to local authorities to determine, subjecting them to the same three tests.

However, it is important to learn about the factors behind the social disquiet that precipitated the triple veto policy. There are legitimate concerns about location, impacts on place, and sense of fairness that shape public responses to individual applications. Moreover, the wind industry has changed since 2015. Larger turbines are now the industry standard, lowering costs but risking greater visual intrusion.

Rather than simply abolishing the triple veto and doing nothing else, planning policy for onshore wind should also be refined in line with the other recommendations of this report.

2. Enable Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) that seek to encourage more renewable energy development through proactive spatial zoning to access a pot of central government resources.

There is a need to adequately resource planners and other environmental regulators in order to ensure that the operation of planning processes for renewable energy investment is not needlessly delayed. Important measures to address this are being undertaken. For example, measures are coming forward through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 to enable statutory environmental regulators to charge for their services in handling NSIPs. However, ways also need to be found to channel more resources to LPAs, many of which may be looking to handle large numbers of lower-scale applications. 

This should not be excessively costly – according to the Royal Town Planning Institute, in 2020-21, net expenditure by planning authorities was just £480 million, which is only around 0.4% of the total expenditure by English local authorities. 

One mechanism to achieve better resourcing of LPAs should be to enable those LPAs that seek to encourage more renewable energy development through proactive spatial zoning to access a pot of public resources. In order to avoid a time-costly bidding process, resources from said pot could be accessed by LPAs automatically if they fulfil certain criteria surrounding the promotion of renewable energy. Those resources could be an extension of the existing Planning Skills Delivery Fund – a £24 million grant from the DLUHC to help local authorities with the implementation of the reforms in the 2023 Levelling Up and Regeneration Act. Such resourcing could prioritise those LPAs with significant potential for renewable energy generation and which have considerable need and desire to coordinate the exploitation of this capacity.

In the 2023 Autumn Statement, the Government already committed a modest £5 million of extra funding for the Planning Skills Delivery Fund to target planning application backlogs, therefore there already exists a precedent for more targeted extensions to the Fund, but, ideally, central government subsidy of LPAs should be more extensive.

3. Institute a minimum level of community benefits at £5,000 per MW per year by making it a requirement of Contract for Difference (CfD) applications for renewable energy developments.

One of the challenges in promoting the use of community benefits in conjunction with renewable energy developments is how one can move beyond voluntary community provisions by developers and towards institutionalising community benefits as a firmer requirement of development consent. The current use of community benefits in facilitating the release of planning consent is problematic. An alternative mechanism would be to attach the requirement for community benefits to contracts between prospective developers and public bodies, where those bodies control key aspects of the development process, such as land or market support. 

The provision of community benefits should be tied to the creation of CfDs for major new renewable energy projects. Government is already exploring the scope for including non-price factors into the CfD scheme, such as around skills development. Instituting a minimum level of community benefits through CfD rounds would avoid downward competition between developers on the level of community benefits without stifling creativity on how such benefits are structured or deployed. Such a measure should prevent communities from losing out from any wider downward pressure on prices. The minimum level of community benefits could be set at £5000/MWh for onshore wind, and more for more profitable technologies, such as large-scale solar PV or offshore wind.

4. Adjust the NPPF to positively encourage Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to plan for onshore wind.
5. Amend the NPPF to adopt a presumption in favour of onshore wind development within all industrial and commercial sites, as well as promote the development of onshore wind at all sites with sufficient grid capacity for large-scale low-carbon energy development.
6. Create an Onshore Wind Acceleration Taskforce.
7. Use the Solar Taskforce to collate evidence on planning outcomes from LPAs that already issue non-statutory guidance on acceptable greenfield locations for solar PV.
8. Use the Marine Management Organisation to draw up marine spatial plans for English offshore waters that demarcate more closely those areas likely to be the most acceptable for offshore wind, gas and oil development and those which are more sensitive and should be avoided.
9. Deliver a precise Land Use Framework for England to provide a useful knowledge base for LPAs.

 

Alexander Stafford MP, member of the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, commented:

“The UK’s often-restrictive planning regulations need to be overhauled if we are going to be able to meet our net zero targets by 2050. We must allow communities to not only be able to Build Back Greener, but also have a voice in how best to ensure that their area can take advantage of the jobs, investment, and opportunities that will come from renewables. This report highlights the importance of making this change, especially for economies both local and national, and I look forward to seeing how the Government will take forward its recommendations.”

Stephen Hammond MP, former Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Department for Transport, commented:

“Renewable energy is a unique opportunity for the UK. It will create economic opportunity and investment, provide cheaper bills for UK households and ensure long-term energy security. Successive Conservative Governments have recognised this and helped turn the UK into a renewable energy superpower. Under our Party, we have managed to build the first, second, third and fourth biggest offshore wind farms in the world. 

“However, we have seen both the US and China make significant investments in their own domestic renewable energy. Now is the time for us to go further and faster on solar energy as well as onshore and offshore wind. We should look to reform the planning system to make investment in and the delivery of renewable technologies quicker and easier. Bright Blue’s report is timely and welcome, providing some interesting ideas into how we can turbocharge the sector. 

“Furthermore, the One Nation caucus recognises embracing these policies will provide an electoral boost for our party. We are delivering on net zero for our country and should harness further investment in renewables to create positive and sustainable energy sources for the UK.”

Wera Hobhouse MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change and Transport, commented:

“It is time for the triple veto to go. It has allowed the Government to dither and delay over developing desperately needed onshore wind schemes in England. The current restrictions should be removed to speed up the deployment of renewable power and guarantee security of energy supply. We need new onshore wind investment so that we can rapidly cut bills for the millions of families struggling to afford them. From new green jobs to lower energy bills, onshore wind can hugely benefit local communities.”

Sam Hall, Director at the Conservative Environment Network, commented:

“A global renewable energy boom is underway, with record levels of solar and wind set to be built around the world this year. To keep pace and attract some of this investment, the UK must reform our planning system to make it easier and faster to build new wind and solar, while ensuring we bring communities with us. Expanding renewable energy will benefit our energy security, reduce bills, cut gas imports, and lower emissions. 

“The Government deserves significant credit for recently setting out moves to speed up planning decisions for renewables, but there is more to do, particularly around support for local energy planning and mandatory community benefits as this report highlights. Fast-tracking planning approval for onshore wind on industrial sites is an excellent recommendation that would improve international competitiveness and boost economic growth, with minimal impact on local communities.”

Roger Mortlock, Chief Executive at the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), commented:

“Climate change is the greatest threat to our countryside, putting food security, wildlife and iconic landscapes at risk. We urgently need a fair and fast transition to a net-zero energy system that empowers rural communities to identify the sites, technologies and scales appropriate for their local landscapes. This will require well-resourced local planning departments and a national land-use framework that prioritises brownfield development, puts rooftop solar first and protects valuable landscapes, farmland and working farms. 

“As the report highlights, new renewable energy schemes must benefit the rural communities that host them. The Government must update the 2015 Shared Ownership Framework, legally obliging all developers of commercial renewables infrastructure exceeding £2.5 million in project costs to offer interested communities the opportunity to acquire a stake of at least 25%”. 

Read the full report here.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

To arrange an interview with a Bright Blue spokesperson or for further media enquiries, please contact Emily Taylor at emily@brightblue.org.uk or on 07841 419316.

  • Bright Blue is the independent think tank and pressure group for liberal conservatism.
  • This report is kindly sponsored by the European Climate Foundation. Bright Blue has had complete editorial control over the report. The report does not necessarily reflect the views of our sponsor.
  • Bright Blue’s Board includes Diane Banks, Philip Clarke, Alexandra Jezeph, Richard Mabey and Ryan Shorthouse.

Our advisory council can be found here. We also have 220 parliamentary supporters. Members of our advisory council and our parliamentary supporters do not necessarily endorse all our policy recommendations, including those included in this press release.

December 11, 2023

Government adopts Bright Blue policy to update afforestation targets

By Press Releases

Bright Blue responds to the Government’s announcement that the England Community Forest network has a target to plant 2,000ha this planting season, a 100% increase on last year’s figures.  

Sarah Kuszynski, Research Assistant at Bright Blue, commented:

“More ambitious tree-planting targets are certainly positive steps towards making the UK a greener, more pleasant place — forests not only help to mitigate climate change but provide a raft of health and wellbeing benefits. Afforestation must form part of a consistent drive to decarbonise.”

Bright Blue called for regularly reviewing and, if necessary, updating, the UK’s afforestation target so it is in line with trends in population growth and decarbonisation in our report Global Green Giant? A policy story.

December 1, 2023

Bright Blue: Some good steps, but Tories need great strides to turn things around

By Press Releases

For further comment or to arrange an interview please get in touch with Emily Taylor: emily@brightblue.org.uk or 07841 419316.

Responding to the Autumn Statement 2023, Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair of Bright Blue, said:

“The Chancellor is rightly focussing fiscal policy on incentivising and rewarding effort, entrepreneurialism and enterprise – the engines of prosperity. The Government is showing it wants to prioritise support and investment in working people.

“Of all the tax cuts under consideration, cutting employees’ and self-employed National Insurance was the right choice, since it is well-targeted and gives more money to those who derive their income from work. The significant and welcome increases in the wage floor and the value of benefits will also help the lowest-paid workers. Conservatism is at its best when it focuses on those striving to achieve the good life, rather than those who have already achieved it.

“However, it remains the case that the tax burden and public debt are at historically high levels. Average individual living standards have declined markedly in recent years. Spending on public services and capital investment is being cut in real terms very significantly. Growth forecasts for the years ahead are measly. In essence, this is a very gloomy economy for households, with private income and public services continuing to decline.

“Only bold strides from the Government can reverse the decline in both our country’s and the Conservative Party’s fortunes. The Government could be much bolder on reforming taxation, public services and benefits to give a much better deal for those working day in, day out to feed their families and start and scale businesses.”

The 2023 Autumn Statement adopted three of Bright Blue’s policies:

Supporting workers

  • The main rate of Class 1 employee National Insurance contributions (NICs) will be cut from 12% to 10% from 6 January 2024.

  • Reducing the main rate of Class 4 self-employed NICs from 9% to 8% from 6th April 2024.

  • Abolishing Class 2 self-employed NICs from April 2024.

Thomas Nurcombe, Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“The Chancellor’s decision to lower employees’ and the self-employed National Insurance rate, alongside raising the National Living Wage, is very promising. It rewards hard work, especially for those on modest incomes.

“Nevertheless, this action should mark just the initial stage of reducing the disproportionate weight of tax on working-aged people. The Chancellor needs to be braver in ensuring those that derive their income from non-work sources – such as rent, pensions and dividends – face more similar rates of taxation to those who derive it from work.”

Pension reforms

  • Uprating the Basic State pension in line with average earnings growth of 8.5%.

  • A Call for Evidence on a Lifetime Provider Model to allow employees the right to have pension contributions paid into an existing pension scheme when changing employer.

  • Introduction of the multiple default consolidator model to enable a small number of schemes to act as a consolidator for eligible pension pots under £1,000.

Thomas Nurcombe, Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“Maintaining the triple lock on the value of the State Pension is neither sustainable nor fair. It is unjustifiable that working-aged people using benefits are receiving a lower rise than those who are retired.”

“There is a need for change to our pension regime; the first step should be to raise the State Pension Age to encourage older individuals to be net contributors to the public purse for longer. This is the great gift older generations can give to younger generations.

“Giving employees the right to ask their employer to contribute into a single pension pot of their choosing is, however, a good move for younger generations. In an era where individuals frequently change jobs and accumulate multiple but small pension pots, it will ensure that money is not left dormant. However, it needs to be coupled with measures to mitigate higher pension provider fees – as individuals are in a weaker negotiation position than employers to keep costs down.”

Supporting businesses

  • Permanent full expensing of plant and machinery against Corporation Tax from 2026-27.

  • 75% Business Rates relief for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sectors in 2024-25, up to £110,000 cash cap.

  • Freezing the small business multiplier in Business Rates in 2024-25.

  • £4.5 billion to unlock investment in strategic manufacturing sectors.

  • Announcing new Investment Zones in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and the East Midlands.

  • Government Procurement and Prompt Payment whereby firms bidding for government contracts over £5 million will have to demonstrate they pay their own invoices within an average of 55 days, tightening to 30 days in the coming years.

Thomas Nurcombe, Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“Full expensing is a bold and expensive measure to boost investment for productive means. This is necessary considering the UK’s low private investment rates relative to our international competitors.

“Late payment is indeed a scourge on small businesses. Insisting public contracts only go to those with a track record of timely payments is in theory smart, but it remains uncertain how this can be properly monitored and enforced.

“The mounting pressure that many small businesses face highlights the urgent need for more radical reform of Business Rates.”

Changes to benefits

  • From 1 April 2024, the National Living Wage (NLW) will increase by 9.8% to £11.44 per hour.

  • Uprating all working age benefits for 2024-25 in full, by September 2023 CPI inflation of 6.7%.

  • Closing the Universal Credit claims of individuals who have been on an open-ended sanction for over six months.

  • Legislating to increase the DWP’s access to data on benefit claimants that is held by third parties.

Bartek Staniszewski, Senior Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“At the start of this year, Bright Blue ambitiously called for the introduction of a ‘minimum living’ income to help low-income households. While this is not quite there, an increase in the National Living Wage is a step in the right direction. It is politically popular and morally right to ensure that everybody can meet basic living needs – an illustration of compassionate conservatism.

“It is also good to see benefits uprated in line with inflation, maintaining their efficacy in light of increasing costs of living, but it is worth mentioning that this amounts to only a 6.7% increase this year – less than the uprate to the State Pension, which is unjustified and inequitable.

“This increase in the value of benefits came with more conditionality for those who have been long-term unemployed. This is broadly the right direction of travel, as Bright Blue has consistently argued.”

Housing

  • Raising Local Housing Allowance rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents in April 2024.

  • New premium planning services across England with guaranteed accelerated decision dates for major applications and fee refunds wherever these are not met.

  • Expanding the Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme by a further £3 billion to support housing associations to access cheaper loans for quality and energy efficiency works as well as new homes.

  • Investing £5 million to incentivise greater use of Local Development Orders in England.

  • A consultation on a new Permitted Development Right for subdividing houses into two flats without changing the façade.

Bartek Staniszewski, Senior Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“This has been a good month for renters, following on from the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill. The costs of housing for UC claimants in the private rental market are inevitably a very high proportion of their income, and are a major contributor to this country’s homelessness problem. That said, the uplift merely restores Local Housing Allowance to the same level of market rents it had back in 2020. Rates will also be frozen from 2025-26 onwards, so, if rents continue to rise beyond then, poorer renters will be in significant trouble.

“The introduction of a premium planning service is promising. The fees paid by applicants in exchange for faster decisions will help with funding for Local Planning Authorities, and the threat of a refund will incentivise efficiency. The threat is that, when low on time, Local Planning Authorities will not exercise due diligence and err on the side of rejecting development. The service is also limited to major developments, and so will be of no help to small- and medium-sized developers, who are the most disadvantaged by the current planning system.”

“The other housing measures announced are disappointing and lacking in ambition. The most significant of them – a £3 billion extension to the Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme – is only projected to deliver 20,000 new homes; nowhere near enough to address this country’s backlog of over four million homes. Extra money for Local Planning Authorities to incentivise the production of Local Development Orders and target planning backlogs is also welcome, but £5 million is a drop in the ocean, and will have negligible effect in reality. The Government had an opportunity to better support first-time buyers through a new scheme to aid first-time buyers, but it failed to do so.”

 

Energy and the environment

  • Setting out an Action Plan to halve the time to build new grid infrastructure to seven years and cut grid access delays by 90%.

  • £960 million for a ‘Green Industries Growth Accelerator’ to support clean energy manufacturing.

  • New Permitted Development Rights (PDR) to end the blanket restriction on heat pumps one metre from a property boundary in England.

Will Prescott, Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“The Government’s announcement that it would work to reduce grid connection times for new sources of low-carbon electricity by up to 90% is certainly very welcome. However, UK consumers will not enjoy the benefits of this investment for some time.”

“While simplifying the planning rules around the installation of heat pumps certainly makes sense, there are bigger deterrents to their installation, not least the high cost, especially in older houses. As such, the Government’s announcement is unlikely to dramatically increase the UK’s disappointing heat pump uptake. The Government needs now to be bolder with both carrots and sticks to ensure we decarbonise our existing housing stock.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

To arrange an interview with a Bright Blue spokesperson or for further media enquiries, please contact Emily Taylor at emily@brightblue.org.uk or on 07850 684474.

 

  • Bright Blue is the independent think tank and pressure group for liberal conservatism.

  • Bright Blue’s Board includes Diane Banks, Philip Clarke, Alexandra Jezeph, Richard Mabey and Ryan Shorthouse.

  • Our advisory council can be found here. We also have 211 parliamentary supporters. Members of our advisory council and our parliamentary supporters do not necessarily endorse all our policy recommendations, including those included in this press release.

November 22, 2023

Government adopts Bright Blue policy to increase the maximum Contract for Difference (CfD) strike price for offshore wind power

By Press Releases

Bright Blue responds to the Government’s announcement to increase the maximum Contract for Difference (CfD) maximum strike price for offshore wind projects by 66% to further cement the UK as a world leader in clean energy. 

Sarah Kuszynski, Research Assistant of Bright Blue, commented:

“After a disastrous allocation round for Contracts of Difference earlier this year, the Government’s decision to raise the Maximum Strike Price is very welcome. 

It will go some way to attract record levels of renewable investment – imperative for the UK’s advantage in developing new technologies and delivering on net zero targets. 

This announcement will put some much-needed ‘wind into the sails’ of the offshore wind sector.”

Bright Blue recently called for the increase in the maximum Contract for Difference (CfD) stroke price for offshore wind.

 

ENDS

Notes to editors:

To arrange an interview with a Bright Blue spokesperson or for further media enquiries, please contact Emily Taylor at emily@brightblue.org.uk or on 078414 19316.

  • Bright Blue is the independent think tank and pressure group for liberal conservatism.
  • Bright Blue’s Board includes Ryan Shorthouse (Executive Chair), Diane Banks, Philip Clarke, Alexandra Jezeph and Richard Mabey.
  • Our advisory council can be found here. We also have 218 parliamentary supporters. Members of our advisory council and our parliamentary supporters do not necessarily endorse all our policy recommendations, including those included in this press release.
November 20, 2023
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