Chris Huhne
Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh
Home energy ratings welcome step
Commenting on the announcement today that energy ratings will have to be produced for every home bought and sold in England and Wales from next June, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP, said:
“More information is necessary but not enough. Simply assessing the performance of houses when they are being sold will do little to improve the efficiency of our housing stock.
“Assessments of energy efficiency need to be linked to fiscal incentives which encourage home owners to install energy efficiency measures and micro renewables.
“With emissions from residential properties accounting for around 30 per cent of the UK total, there needs to be a green switch in behaviour by shifting taxes from productive and positive activities, such as work, onto negative things, such as carbon emissions. We do not need higher taxes overall, but fairer and greener taxes.”