Tories Call for Insulation in Homes and More Local Produce in Stores

Posted under Blog by Ruth

Speaking at the recent annual party conference, spokesman for climate change Greg Clark called for homes to become more energy efficient.

His proposals included loans of up to £6,500 for households to install measures such as double glazing. These loans would then be paid back through electricity bills.

The Tories estimates that £1,500 worth of improvements would cost £10 each month to repay. However, in total this could save the household £240 a year on bills. Therefore, it will benefit householders as well as moves towards reducing emissions nationwide.

Clark stated that the cost to households would be reduced due to the fact that retailers, such as Marks and Spencer, would be competing to offer services. This would mean a ‘green deal’ where homeowners would invest in energy saving technologies.

The environmental spokesman of the party, Nick Herbert, also called for more food to be sourced locally. This is especially important in institutions such as schools and hospitals.

Herbert stated that all Whitehall departments would need to produce and use food that meets British standard. In effect, this means much more local food.

The Tories claim that locally sourced food can, in fact, cost less and that the measure will be put in place because “we care about the countryside”.

The current government’s food buying standards were recently criticised, after it became apparent that no measures were in place to monitor how much was bought locally.