Tories publish "Quality of Life" report
September 14, 2007
The Conservative Party has published its new Quality of Life report, which sets out the party's proposals to reduce pollution and improve the wider environment and quality of life in the UK.
Produced by the Quality of Life Policy Group, which is chaired by John Gummer and vice-chaired by Zac Goldsmith, the report's key recommendations include:
a) higher taxes on short-haul flights
b) increased taxes on gas-guzzling vehicles
c) a moratorium on airport expansions
d) controls on energy-wasting household goods
e) using extra money raised by green taxes on a new Family Fund to reduce family taxes.
The report is said to be based on the three tenets of i) using markets to help create positive change, ii) helping individuals change their behaviour, and iii) making industry use resources more efficiently.
Zac Goldsmith said the report represented "the most thorough review of environmental policies ever conducted by a political party".
He said, "It is radical but practical, pioneering but realistic, and shows how the next Conservative government can deliver the change we need."
Many of the recommendations are expected to be included in the Conservative Party's election manifesto.
The initial response to the report from the renewables industry has been very positive. Philip Wolfe, the Chief Executive of the Renewable Energy Association (REA) said, "Zac Goldsmith and John Gummer show a real understanding that industry needs strong, clear, long-term regulation so that it can invest in the major changes required."
He added, "We should be at the top of the European renewables league table given our exceptional wind, wave and tidal resource, economic wealth and academic expertise. Unfortunately we're one from the bottom. Not only is this a serious failure of leadership but it's bad news for British business."
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