Shadow chancellor to unveil Tory plans to cut taxes and regulations
Shadow ministers will unveil a series of policies on day two of the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham.
By BBC News
Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith is set to outline Conservative plans to cut taxes, reduce red tape and lower the cost of building homes as the party’s conference continues in Birmingham.
The BBC report says shadow ministers will unveil a series of policies on day two of the Conservative Party conference. These are expected to include moves to ditch environmental and energy efficiency rules, including the future homes standard.
The party also wants to reduce food costs, support Heathrow Airport expansion and abolish Natural England and the Environment Agency, according to the report.
Griffith is expected to argue that the Conservatives want to deliver “cheaper homes, lower taxes, and less red tape”. The report says he will accuse Prime Minister Andy Burnham of wanting to pursue a “socialist fever dream of the 1970s”.
Among the measures being discussed is a single levy for developers to replace section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy. The party believes that would simplify planning contributions linked to new building work.
The Conservatives say the changes could cut the cost of delivering a new home by up to £50,000. They also plan to scrap the Extended Packaging Responsibility scheme, which requires firms to cover the cost of collecting, recycling and disposing of the packaging they produce.
The BBC report says the proposals form part of a broader push to present the Conservatives as a low-tax, pro-development alternative at the Birmingham conference.