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Bright Blue: Response to the Supreme Court ruling on the Rwanda asylum agreement

By Press Releases

Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair of Bright Blue, comments: 

“The Rwanda asylum agreement has been an expensive failure. It has been deemed by the Supreme Court to be unlawful and, as a country that respects the rule of law, the UK Government must now move on urgently to find alternative ways of reducing the flow of irregular migrants crossing the Channel.

“Seeking to leave or bypass the ECHR in response to this judgement would be a monumental misjudgement. There is other domestic legislation and international treaties that the Rwanda asylum agreement would fall foul of. And the net impact of our departure from, or undermining of, the ECHR on our international reputation and the rules-based system would be dire.
The priority for the Home Office now should be threefold. First, disincentivise migrants from making dangerous journeys, by opening up some legal and safe routes for those from a wider range of dangerous countries, and working with our European neighbours to improve border enforcement and increase returns agreements. The reduction in small boats crossings we have seen this year relative to last year, after all, is largely a result of a new returns agreement with Albania.
 
Second, improving the speed and accuracy of asylum processing. Compared to France and Germany, the UK processes asylum claims much more slowly and, when they do, the acceptance rate is much higher. The Home Office needs to invest in rectifying this. 
 
Third, ensuring the effective tracking and removal of people who are not eligible to be here. We should introduce ID cards to enable this. And we should seek to remove failed asylum seekers who do not leave voluntarily to a safe third country.”
 
In September 2023, Bright Blue released a report assessing public attitudes towards the Rwanda asylum agreement and alternative policies to reduce irregular migration.

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 15, 2023

Bright Blue: Time is running out for the tired Tories

By Press Releases

Commenting on the 2023 King’s Speech, Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair of Bright Blue, said:  

“The King’s Speech is not sufficiently coherent or ambitious to transform the fortunes of both the Conservative Government and – most importantly – the UK economy. This is likely to be the last legislative programme for this Tory Government and it says very little about two of the biggest priorities for the public: improving private incomes and public services.

“Time is running out for the tired Tories. Much of what has been promised in this King’s Speech – especially on housing and crime – has been promised for several years now. The Tories need to offer and implement new policies, especially on tax, housing, health and education, and quickly.”

Below, Bright Blue has responded to the announcement of legislation that is particularly relevant to our current work. It therefore is not an exhaustive response to the 2023 King’s Speech.

 

HOUSING

Renters Reform Bill

  • Supports tenants with children or pets and universal credit claimants.
  • Establishes a new Ombudsman for the private rented sector.
  • Strengthens the ability of landlords to evict for anti-social behaviour.
  • Introduces a process for appealing against excessive rent increases.

Bartek Staniszewski, Senior Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“It is good that, after much worry in the preceding months, the Renters Reform Bill is finally here. Laudably, security of tenure for tenants will be improved, and a new Ombudsman for the private rental sector will be established to more ably crack down on abuses.

“That said, the most pivotal element of the Bill – the abolition of ‘no-fault’ evictions – has, frustratingly, been delayed. This is on the grounds that courts will require extra capacity to handle this change. But the average eviction court hearing takes less than ten minutes, while ‘no-fault’ evictions remain a key cause of homelessness, as well as discouraging tenants from complaining about poor conditions.”

Leasehold Reform Bill

  • Ban the  creation of new leasehold houses.
  • Facilitates the extension of lease and the purchase of freehold by leaseholders.
  • Reduces new ground rents to £0.

Bartek Staniszewski, Senior Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“Reform of leasehold is a welcome and much-awaited development. The focus on houses is a right one – although flats are the majority of leasehold properties, leasehold is a more apt form of tenure for flats than it is for houses. For both houses and flats, ground rents are set to be abolished, while extending the lease and purchasing the freehold have been made easier, which will bring leasehold closer to the fairness that other tenures afford.”

 

SOCIAL POLICY

Sentencing Bill and the Criminal Justice Bill

  • Ensures more severe sentences for murderers and sexual offenders.

Investigatory Powers Amendment Bill

  • Facilitates the access of personal data by UK intelligence agencies.

Terrorism Protection of Premises Bill

  • Introduces new requirements for venues to reduce terrorism risks.

Bartek Staniszewski, Senior Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“The King announced a range of Bills to address crime, anti-social behaviour and imprisonment. It is prudent of Sunak to push for this now – in a bid to attract centre-right voters, Starmer will likely find getting tough on crime agreeable, and so reforms to the justice system stand a good chance of leaving a lasting legacy.

“That said, the King has been very vague on the measures that will take place to tackle crime. Only giving greater powers to security services and ensuring tougher sentences for “the most serious offenders” has been clearly mentioned – there, the Government must ensure it strikes a balance between safety and affording people the privacy, respect and freedom they deserve.”

 

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill

  • Requires the North Sea Transition Authority to run an annual process inviting applications for new production licences in the UK’s offshore waters

Will Prescott, Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“While the Government’s pledge to attract record levels of investment in renewable energy sources is certainly welcome, it is unclear just how effective the Government plans to support annual licensing rounds for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea will be. As well as making little difference to UK energy security or winter fuel bills, it will not really aid the UK’s transition to a clean-energy future.

“Coming in the wake of the Prime Minister’s recent decision to delay banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, it seems the Government is more interested in splitting the Opposition than showing leadership on climate change.”

 

ECONOMY

Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill

  • Bans public bodies from imposing their own boycotts, divestment or sanctions against foreign countries. 

Thomas Nurcombe, Researcher at Bright Blue, commented:

“It is reassuring that the Government is taking control of the issue of foreign policy involvement by public bodies, such as councils, particularly in regard to boycotts and sanctions. Boycotts and sanctions are a matter for centralised foreign policy, not the decision of councils and other public bodies.

“We have seen in recent weeks many public bodies targeting Israel with their actions. This does have an impact on the Jewish population in communities where they are meant to feel safe. It is right that the Government has sought to tackle this issue as part of a wider plan to tackle rising antisemitism – a stain on our society.”

 

TECHNOLOGY

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Bill

  • Strengthening the powers of the Competition and Markets Authority to tackle anti-competitive activities, especially by large tech companies.

Sarah Kuszynski, Research Assistant at Bright Blue, commented:

“The focus on reigning in the market power of a few large technology firms in the King’s Speech is encouraging. It should allow for fairer competition, promote innovation by enabling smaller firms better market access and maintain the UK’s attractiveness as a place for investment in emerging technologies. These technologies will have transformative effects on our daily lives and their safe development is vital.”

Data Protection and Digital Information Bill 

  • Simplifies regulation around businesses and researchers accessing personal data.
  • Strengthens the UK’s data protection regulator: the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Sarah Kuszynski, Research Assistant at Bright Blue, commented:

“The simplification of data protection regulation should aid the safe commercial development of new technologies. In the aftermath of Brexit this UK version of the GDPR should instil confidence in how the UK handles personal data, whilst retaining high global standards and data adequacy – the ability for data to flow freely – with the EU.”

 

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 7, 2023

Bright Blue: Tories in peril because the young denied ‘the British dream’

By Press Releases

Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservatism, has today published new polling analysis with YouGov of UK public attitudes towards the plight of and policies for younger adults. 

The polling reveals that the UK public are united in believing that younger adults find it much more difficult to get on in life than in recent decades, and that the best way for government to support them is through economic rather than cultural policies.

The key findings from the polling include:

  • The top two issues facing young people today in Britain are ‘Inflation and the cost of living’ (53%) and ‘Housing’ (41%), according to the UK public.
  • An overwhelming majority of the UK public, across different ages, believe that the policy plan that would be most appealing to younger voters is “Making homes cheaper for first time buyers.” (65%).
  • The top three policy plans that the UK public, including all those aged 50 and under, believe would be last appealing to younger voters is “Measures to limit critical teaching of British history in schools” (45%), “Reducing access to women-only spaces for transgender people” (39%) and “Introducing stricter controls on immigration” (37%).
  • The UK public, including all those aged 50 and under, are most likely to believe that the policy that would most improve the financial situation of young people in the country is ‘Increasing the minimum wage’ (38%).
  • A majority of the UK public believe that the economic prospects of younger people are harder than younger people 10 years ago (56%), 20 years ago (60%) and 30 years ago (58%), with those aged 25-49 most likely to believe all of this than any other age group.
  • The UK public are most likely to believe that the Conservative Party looks out for the interests of babyboomers (31%) above any other generation, and the interests of Generation Z (32%) the least than any other generation.

 

Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair of Bright Blue, commented:

“The electoral prospects of the Conservative Party next year are not good. But, in the decades ahead, they are perilous because younger Brits have turned their back on the Tories. The Prime Minister doesn’t just need to salvage the Tory brand in the short-term, he needs to think long-term and better attract and support younger people to ensure the Conservatives have a chance of ever being elected again in the decades to come.

“It is much more difficult for younger adults to get on in life and live ‘the British dream’ of having children and owning a home than in recent decades. This is the predominant reason why younger adults are not voting Conservative. The Conservatives won’t win them back by fighting the cultural war, but by religiously focussing on growing the economy and making it easier to start and sustain a family.”

“Boosting home ownership, in particular, is vital for the prosperity of individuals, the country and British conservatism. That means building more houses, but also ensuring suitable demand-side subsidies for first-time buyers, especially now Help to Buy has expired.”

ENDS

October 2, 2023

Bright Blue: Government’s main asylum policies are “just not cricket”

By Home, Press Releases

Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservatism, has today released a new report, Alternative policies for the UK’s asylum system, calling for new asylum policies that seek to reduce the flow of irregular migrants to the UK and put due process at the heart of the asylum system.

The report analyses UK public attitudes towards the principles and policies of the asylum system, and offers new policy ideas for — and a strong case to — this Conservative Government for reforming the asylum system. 

Based on public opinion, Bright Blue recommends that the UK Government adopts four new policies: 

  1. The UK Government should commit to an annual quota for the number of refugees under the UNHCR resettlement schemes, subject to official review each year, and numbers proportionate to the fragility of certain countries.
  2. The UK Government should introduce a new humanitarian visa that would allow a capped number of asylum seekers to apply for a visa overseas to arrive legally in the UK for the purposes of claiming asylum, subject to official review each year and numbers proportionate to the fragility of certain countries.
  3. The Rwanda asylum agreement should be amended rather than abolished, and the UK Government should arrange for the removals of migrants to Rwanda only when they have had their asylum claims heard and refused and are failing to leave the UK voluntarily. 
  4. The UK Government should reinstate for a long trial period the two-tier system that existed between April 2022 and June 2023, enabling and promoting differential treatment of refugees who arrived via legal routes and those who arrived irregularly. Only if the evidence after the trial shows that it impacts the decision-making of asylum seekers should it be made permanent.

 

Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive of Bright Blue, commented: 

“Since asylum applications are at record levels, the Government urgently needs to get a grip and implement alternative policies to reduce the number of people making dangerous journeys to arrive in the UK. The main proposal to detain and deport nearly all irregular migrants, especially to Rwanda, is neither realistic nor fair – it’s just not cricket.

“The UK public do want tough action to be taken on irregular migrants, but only once their claim has been heard and rejected – in other words, Brits believe in due process. So the priority for the Home Office must be improving the speed and accuracy of asylum processing, and ensuring the effective tracking and removal of people who are not eligible to be here.”

The Rt Hon Robert Buckland MP, Former Justice Secretary, commented: 

“Due process is the very foundation of the British justice system. As Bright Blue’s considered report identifies, the public want and expect us to protect the rights of the individual and administer justice in a firm but fair way. We, as Conservatives, should be doing nothing less.

“Justice must also be the watchword when it comes to our country’s approach to asylum. I welcome Bright Blue’s recommendation that the Rwanda policy be revisited and revised rather than abolished, and that this must be done in a way that does not undermine the role third countries can play in both deterrence and the processing of claims.

“The report is also right to recognise that there is far more to be done to tackle the cause of the present asylum difficulties. Unscrupulous criminal gangs must be stopped, and their business model dismantled, restoring the all-important quality of justice to our asylum system. This would be reinforced by adopting further Bright Blue policies, such as humanitarian visas, an annual refugee quota and the re-introduction of the two-tier system that wasn’t given enough time to work.”

David Simmonds CBE MP, Chair of the APPG for Migration, commented: 

“We are rightly proud of the rule of law as one of the foundations of our democracy. Our approach to asylum needs to focus on putting our own policies and laws correctly into practice, rather than seeking to disadvantage the most vulnerable by depriving them of legal rights that our own citizens rely on when in difficulty abroad.”

Bright Blue’s key findings on UK public attitudes towards the asylum system:

Perceptions of asylum seekers 

  • 50% of the UK public and 50% of 2019 Conservative voters are most likely to believe there is a ‘hostile’ reception towards irregular asylum seekers who arrive in the UK rather than a ‘hospitable’ reception. This is in terms of where asylum seekers stay when they are in the UK, the benefits they can receive and the rights available to them.
  • A plurality of the UK public (48%) say that one of the main reasons why irregular asylum seekers arrive in the UK is because they are ‘driven by the welfare benefits available here’.
  • A majority of the UK public favours deporting irregular migrants, but favours due process when determining deportations, preferring that government remove nearly all irregular migrants who enter the UK, but only after their asylum claim has been rejected (41%) rather than automatically (34%), as is the current government policy under the Illegal Migration Act 2023. 
  • A majority of the UK public favours detaining irregular migrants, but would rather failed asylum seekers are detained (31%) than those waiting for a decision on their claim (23%).

Perceptions of the Rwanda asylum agreement: 

  • The UK public marginally favours due process when determining deportations to Rwanda under the new Rwanda asylum plan, preferring that irregular asylum seekers be sent only if they are not genuine refugees (26%) rather than automatically (24%) as is current government policy under the Illegal Migration Act 2023.
  • Of those among the UK public who are are opposed deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, 50% cite ‘Human rights concerns’ as the reason for their opposition.
  • Of those among the UK public who support deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, a plurality (36%) cite ‘To deter irregular crossings across the English Channel’ as the reason. 

Perceptions of potential policies: 

  • A majority of the public think that ‘the UK should allow some asylum seekers to apply for a visa overseas to arrive legally in the UK for the purposes of claiming asylum’ (57%).
  • A plurality of the UK public support some form of expansion of resettlement schemes (48%). The most popular option being that schemes be expanded from specific fragile countries but the number of places capped (19%).
  • The UK public favours due process on maritime push-back policies, preferring that UK authorities block irregular migrants arriving by small boats from going ashore, but only if the return of the boats is safe and in line with international law (44%), rather than even if it violates international law (26%).

ENDS

September 7, 2023

John Glen MP: Businesses should stay out of politics

By Home, Press Releases

Speaking to Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservatism, the Chief Secretary to HM Treasury, the Rt Hon John Glen MP, has said businesses need to focus on providing high-quality products and services rather than getting involved in politics and cultural debate.

Bright Blue interviewed the Chief Secretary to HM Treasury as part of the new edition of its Centre Write magazine, released today, discussing corporate culture, economic growth and the future of business. 

In the interview, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury spoke about the role of business in politics:

“I think the mainstream majority of this country want businesses to provide value for money and quality services and goods that they can rely on, and probably want them to keep out of politics.

“But I think where we’ve got to now is that we’ve almost got a checklist of things that a business has to say and do in order to be deemed to be socially and ethically on the right side of the line. And I’m not sure about this. We’ve seen what can happen in recent months.  Think of that US beer brand, where consumers reacted rather differently than was anticipated.

“I’m uncomfortable, instinctively, to see big businesses appropriating the views of their customers to make a political point. If they want to get into politics, then stand for election.”

He discussed Conservative economic policy:

“I’m nervous of situations where Conservative Governments intervene too much in the market, and I’m anxious that we should move to a position as quickly as we can when taxes are falling. We can only do that when we also respect the primary rule, which is sound money.”

He then critiqued the Labour Party’s economic plans: 

“Being in government means you cannot hide from the OBR [Office for Budget Responsibility]. You can’t hide from the commentators. And whilst I respect the Shadow Treasurer’s team to be taken seriously by the electorate, and by those who commentate leading up to an election, you can’t just syphon off one tranche of public spending as not debt. It is debt – it has to be paid for.

“As Economic Secretary, I was responsible for the debt management office – the debt management office has to issue gilts. And the coupon needs to be paid. And it doesn’t matter how you badge it, you can’t hide from these realities.”

He then gave his thoughts on the upcoming general election: 

“The conservative family is a broad one. But as we get towards election, we need to exercise discipline and restraint in all parts of the Party, because we need to demonstrate unity of purpose. This is especially true as we continue to deal with some of the most difficult challenges of our time.

“If you look over the elections that I’ve been involved with since 1997, we are at our best when we’re united. And I’m convinced that the vast majority of my colleagues recognise that. But, when you’ve been in power for 13 years  frustrations exist. If you go through what we’ve gone through over the last three years, you can understand why some people feel frustrated at times.”

In his article for Centre Write, Stephen Kinnock MP, Shadow Minister for Immigration, condemned the Conservative Government’s lack of industrial strategy, saying:

“Most national governments now have begun to understand that a strong domestic manufacturing base is absolutely essential to building the resilience and sovereign independence that a country requires to survive in this new ‘age of authoritarianism’.

“Alarmingly for the people of Britain, Rishi Sunak is just about the only leader of any Western country who is failing to understand the importance of this quest for growth and resilience. An industrial strategy is nowhere to be seen. The Prime Minister and his Chancellor seem trapped in a bygone era, blind to the reality of the world around them, with Sunak openly speaking out against the idea of his subsidising British industry, having already scrubbed the words ‘industrial strategy’ out of the Business department.

“We need action and we need it now. Britain needs its steel, and currently one thing is abundantly clear; Labour is the only party on the pitch when it comes to promising a serious industrial strategy.” 

In his article for Centre Write, John Redwood MP, the former Conservative Party leadership contender, outlines why markets should lead levelling up, not the state: 

“To level up a region, the state needs to have low rates of tax on income and business. It needs to offer good properties and land to build on to attract richer people who are prepared to invest in the area. It should help to find industrial and commercial space and grant development permission to those who want to build a business. It needs to offer good communications and utilities, as businesses need to be able to get the raw materials in and the finished goods out. 

“Businesses also require plenty of power, broadband and water for their activities. They also need to be able to recruit willing employees to train and promote as they grow. You do not make an area rich by nationalising the main facilities and by taxing business and entrepreneurs away. Nor does it help to lay down what you can and cannot do in such detail that people would rather live and work somewhere with more liberty.”

This edition of Bright Blue’s Centre Write magazine also includes contributions from James Ball, Author of Post-Truth: How Bullshit Conquered the World, James Cowling, Founder of Next Gen Tories and John Penrose MP, the UK’s former Anti-Corruption Champion and many more.

August 7, 2023

Government adopts Bright Blue policy to expand Neighborhood Development Orders

By Press Releases

Bright Blue responds to the Government’s announcement to expand National Development Orders through the use of PDRs and Street Votes.

Bartek Staniszewski, Researcher, commented:

“After Labour’s bold new announcements on housing, the Conservatives have finally come out with a YIMBY vision of their own. At a time when younger people from modest backgrounds struggle to access home ownership, Gove finally, and rightly,  recommitted to 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s. The Secretary for Levelling Up has also commendably committed to the densification and regeneration of city centres. Prioritising this, rather than development outside of already built-up areas, carries a host of advantages, including walkability, sociability, shorter commutes, better access to infrastructure and benefits for the environment.

“This commitment to new development, however, has not come without an appreciation for the need for green homes of appropriate quality. In the midst of renewed controversy surrounding the importance of environmental policy, the Secretary laudably emphasised the importance of climate action and energy efficiency with a promise that the Future Homes Standard will require climate resilient, comfortable homes in the eve of climate change.”

 

Bright Blue recently called for the expansion of National Development Orders in our report, Greater and greener homes.
July 26, 2023

Government adopts Bright Blue policy to introduce a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

By Home, Press Releases

Bright Blue responds to the Government’s announcement that they are launching a consultation on a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

Bartek Staniszewski, Researcher, commented:

“As we target net zero, it is imperative that our domestic industries remain competitive against their more carbon-intensive, foreign competitors, and that foreign industries do not use this as an opportunity to increase their own emissions and undermine our own net zero efforts.

A Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will penalise imports that seek to undercut our domestic production and send out a strong signal that carbon-intensive industries will find it difficult to conduct business in the UK.
However, trade barriers are a regrettable cost. A CBAM should be coupled with free trade agreements with countries that adopt a similar commitment to lower emissions”
Bright Blue recently called for a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in our reports Green money and Carbonless crucible.
April 6, 2023

Government adopts Bright Blue policy to ban plastic in wet wipes

By Home, Press Releases

Bright Blue responds to the Government’s decision to ban plastic wet wipes. 

Will Prescott, Researcher, commented: 

“Wet wipes are currently one of the biggest contributors to river pollution. They do not break down easily and when they do finally break down, they are ingested by aquatic life, causing suffocation, starvation and death. Therese Coffey’s announcement that wet wipes containing plastic will be banned from early next year is therefore a very welcome development.”

Bright Blue recently proposed banning the sale of all non-flushable wet wipes in our 2020 report Global Green Giant and our recent Bright Blue petition.

April 4, 2023

Centre-right needs radical new vision to fix the housing crisis

By Home, Press Releases

Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservatism, and Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, have today published an essay collection, Home advantage: a new centre-right vision for housing, with 16 contributions from top MPs and thought leaders  – including the Secretary of State for Housing – together creating a fresh centre-right vision to resolve the housing crisis in the UK. 

The cost of owning or renting a home is as high as ever. Our broken housing system is contributing to the economic and political malaise the UK has been experiencing recently. Fixing it should be one of the Government’s priorities.

This publication seeks to renew the conservative mission on housing, providing a blueprint for current and future decision makers. This book comprises four sections, each consisting of essays to resoundingly make the case for housing as a key tool in advancing four conservative goals: security, community, stewardship and conservation.

Along with the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP – who has written the forward for the essay collection – contributors include: The Rt Hon Damian Green MP, John Penrose MP, Shaun Bailey MP, Selaine Saxby MP, Jo Gideon MP, Nicholas Boys Smith (Co-Chair, Building Better Beautiful Commission), Toby Lloyd (Chair, No Place Left Behind Commission), and many more.

The Rt Hon Michael Gove, Secretary of State, commented:

“Every single person in this country, no matter where they are from, what they do or how much money they earn, deserves to live in a home that is decent, safe, secure and affordable. Along with the campaigners and political colleagues who have contributed to this thoughtful collection of essays, I am more committed than ever to building a modern, radical and successful conservative housing policy that works for everyone, whether they rent or own.”

Ryan Shorthouse, Chief Executive of Bright Blue, commented:

“A Conservative Government, now in power for 13 years, needs to make genuinely affordable and appropriate housing – of all different types of tenure – accessible to a much wider proportion of the population, especially younger generations and those on modest incomes.

“There is no silver bullet to fix the housing crisis. But, without bold and urgent steps, the housing situation in this country is only set to get worse, to the detriment of the national interest and the very survival of the centre-right. We need new, radical solutions now.”

Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Shelter, commented: 

“The housing emergency is robbing hundreds of thousands of people of a safe and secure home, and undermining the future of local communities from Cornwall to Northumberland. Private rents are skyrocketing, over a million households are stuck on social housing waiting lists and homelessness has almost doubled in the last 10 years, but time and time again housing gets left off the political agenda. 

“The government needs to start listening to the growing range of voices calling for bold action on housing, an issue that will be critical at the next General  Election. Access to a decent home is as vital as education or healthcare. The only way to make sure everyone has a home they can afford to live in, and one that allows them to thrive, is for the government to prioritise housing and build a new generation of good quality social homes with rents tied to local incomes.”

In total, our contributors offer over 60 policy recommendations. Contributors may not necessarily agree with the policies advocated by other contributors. Key recommendations include:

Security

  • Commit to an additional 90,000 social homes a year.
  • Look to extend the standard contract length of tenancies to up to three years.
  • Extend the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector.
  • Decentralise planning power to those locally elected to give them the final say – justiciable if erroneous in law – to refocus the planning system on increased development rather than planning gain.
  • Offer Stamp Duty reductions for people downsizing out of under-occupied family homes.
  • In the new National Planning Policy Framework, create a class that promotes specialist housing for older people. This could be accompanied by a requirement to allocate a percentage of new housing for this class on larger developments. 

Community

  • Councils in left-behind places should be granted a one-off post-pandemic reallocation of historic council debt from local to national government to allow local authorities to invest in their own communities. 
  • Create a genuine, reformed Community Right to Buy to tackle extractive ownership and take back control of assets of community value.
  • Reform the compulsory purchase system to provide a fairer balance between landowner compensation and public benefit. 
  • Introduce a new Infrastructure Levy to compensate areas with lower land values and protect the supply of truly affordable homes and community infrastructure. 
  • Deliver a registration scheme for short term rental properties to allow local authorities to monitor short term rental properties in their area. 
  • Energy efficiency improvements are, currently, only required in long term rentals – this needs to be levelled with short term rental properties to ensure landlords are not favouring short term rental properties used as holiday homes.

Stewardship

  • Extend the rollout of the homelessness prevention duty to every local authority and introduce a model akin to the No Second Night Out initiative,  to be adopted universally to help. 
  • Introduce ‘Build Up Not Out’, which allows anyone who owns a home in a town, city or urban area to redevelop immediately, provided they follow their local council’s design code. 

Conservation

  • Introduce visual design codes to promote gentle densification and provide planning certainty. 
  • Encourage the government to release unused brownfield sites directly to be used by local authorities.

John Penrose MP, former United Kingdom Anti-Corruption Champion, commented: 

“Britain’s housing problem has been brewing for ages. This is because, for the last few decades, we have not built enough new houses.”

“This does not just increase poverty by making the UK a less affordable place to live, particularly for lower-skilled and lower-paid families, but it also skewers opportunities by making working-age people less able to take any life chances that come their way because they are – understandably – unwilling to move from low-cost to high-cost parts of the country without a big pay rise. Furthermore, it unfairly hits poorer children in short-term rented housing by disrupting their education and support networks if they have to move house and school more often than their better-off classmates.”

Nicholas Boys Smith, Co-Chair of the Building Better Beautiful Commission, commented: 

“We must dare to ask communities what they like and how they wish to live. We need to keep it simple and make use of the exciting possibilities for digital engagement. We should aim to create the conservation areas of the future.

“We must find a middle way between the extremes of lumpish blocks crammed into a small urban site on the one hand and low-density sub-suburbs on the other.”

“Fortunately, there is an answer that often works: gentle density, a network of beautiful streets and squares, of mansion blocks and terraced and semi-detached houses anchored around real middles, a village green.”

ENDS

April 3, 2023

Government adopts Bright Blue policy to increase fines for littering

By Home, Press Releases

Bright Blue responds to the Government’s decision to increase the maximum fine from £150 to £500 for littering, and £400 to £1,000 for fly-tipping. 

Commenting, Eve Redmond, Research Assistant: 

“Both littering and fly-tipping have not only caused significant adverse impacts on local environments, they have also cost the taxpayer millions of pounds to clean up. The PM’s decision to significantly increase fines for those who engage in these activities is, therefore, a very welcome one.”

Bright Blue recently proposed that the UK Government should increase fines for littering to £500 in our 2020 report, Global Green Giant, and our Bright Blue petition.

March 27, 2023
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