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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Tory group urges 'green rebate' | Tory group urges 'green rebate' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A stamp duty rebate for home-buyers who improve domestic energy efficiency is to be proposed by the Conservatives' Quality of Life policy group this week. | A stamp duty rebate for home-buyers who improve domestic energy efficiency is to be proposed by the Conservatives' Quality of Life policy group this week. |
| It also proposes council tax and VAT cuts - and capping the energy use of appliances like TVs and fridges. | It also proposes council tax and VAT cuts - and capping the energy use of appliances like TVs and fridges. |
| As details of Thursdays report emerged, leader David Cameron said he would put up green taxes "and use the proceeds to reduce taxes elsewhere". | As details of Thursdays report emerged, leader David Cameron said he would put up green taxes "and use the proceeds to reduce taxes elsewhere". |
| Labour questioned the tax calculations. The Lib Dems say the Tories are split. | Labour questioned the tax calculations. The Lib Dems say the Tories are split. |
| Labelling system | Labelling system |
| The policy group - chaired by ex-environment secretary John Gummer and prospective Tory MP Zac Goldsmith - says household goods which exceed energy limits should be banned from sale in the UK. | The policy group - chaired by ex-environment secretary John Gummer and prospective Tory MP Zac Goldsmith - says household goods which exceed energy limits should be banned from sale in the UK. |
| It suggests that products with standby lights which stay on permanently should also be outlawed, and a labelling system should be introduced to help consumers compare the energy usage of electrical products. | It suggests that products with standby lights which stay on permanently should also be outlawed, and a labelling system should be introduced to help consumers compare the energy usage of electrical products. |
| Mr Goldsmith told the BBC's Sunday AM programme: "To upgrade your home is always going to be a disruptive process so the best time to do that is at the point where it changes ownership. | Mr Goldsmith told the BBC's Sunday AM programme: "To upgrade your home is always going to be a disruptive process so the best time to do that is at the point where it changes ownership. |
| Tackling climate change is the biggest challenge we face Tony JuniperFriends of the Earth class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6987556.stm">Cameron speech in full | |
| "We should offer very generous stamp duty reductions - rebates - if your home is passed on in the best possible condition. | "We should offer very generous stamp duty reductions - rebates - if your home is passed on in the best possible condition. |
| "And I think if you do that, it becomes less of an ethical decision and more of an investment - a financial decision." | "And I think if you do that, it becomes less of an ethical decision and more of an investment - a financial decision." |
| Friends of the Earth has welcomed the group's proposals. | Friends of the Earth has welcomed the group's proposals. |
| Director Tony Juniper said: "Tackling climate change is the biggest challenge we face, and it looks as though the Conservative's Quality of Life Group has come up with a range of positive and practical suggestions to make life better for people while protecting the planet. | Director Tony Juniper said: "Tackling climate change is the biggest challenge we face, and it looks as though the Conservative's Quality of Life Group has come up with a range of positive and practical suggestions to make life better for people while protecting the planet. |
| "A new approach is urgently needed if the UK is to become a world leader on this issue." | "A new approach is urgently needed if the UK is to become a world leader on this issue." |
| All the proposals, which are not binding on Mr Cameron, are due to be unveiled on Thursday. The Tory leader says he will study them "carefully". | All the proposals, which are not binding on Mr Cameron, are due to be unveiled on Thursday. The Tory leader says he will study them "carefully". |
| 'Black hole' | 'Black hole' |
| In a speech at the London School of Economics on Monday Mr Cameron said: "Let me be clear. We will raise green taxes - and use the proceeds to reduce taxes elsewhere. | In a speech at the London School of Economics on Monday Mr Cameron said: "Let me be clear. We will raise green taxes - and use the proceeds to reduce taxes elsewhere. |
| "That is the right direction for the environment and it's the right direction for our economy. It is the best way to deliver the green growth that must be our aim." | "That is the right direction for the environment and it's the right direction for our economy. It is the best way to deliver the green growth that must be our aim." |
| Labour's Andy Burnham, chief secretary to the Treasury, said: "They would need to raise green taxes by eye-watering amounts to meet the tax proposals they have been making. | Labour's Andy Burnham, chief secretary to the Treasury, said: "They would need to raise green taxes by eye-watering amounts to meet the tax proposals they have been making. |
| "They've promised to tax less, spend more and borrow less - all at the same time. | "They've promised to tax less, spend more and borrow less - all at the same time. |
| "There is a huge difference between using incentives to help people make greener choices and what the Tories are having to do by using swingeing green tax rises to try to plug a black hole in their budget." | "There is a huge difference between using incentives to help people make greener choices and what the Tories are having to do by using swingeing green tax rises to try to plug a black hole in their budget." |
| Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne said there was a split in the Conservatives' attitude towards green issues. | Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Chris Huhne said there was a split in the Conservatives' attitude towards green issues. |
| "With John Redwood saying that his idea of going green is cutting taxes, the Tories are heading for a major bust-up on their plans for tackling climate change," he said. | "With John Redwood saying that his idea of going green is cutting taxes, the Tories are heading for a major bust-up on their plans for tackling climate change," he said. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has previously said he wanted to "eliminate" the standby function. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has previously said he wanted to "eliminate" the standby function. |