Environmental Protection and Green Growth

Debate between Bill Esterson and Mary Creagh

Wednesday 26th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)]

There is an opportunity to promote jobs and growth in the green sector by cutting the rate of VAT to 5%. As my hon. Friend will be aware, there are several anomalies in this area. For example, installing heating controls attract a reduced rate of 5%, but replacing an old boiler with a modern, energy-efficient one does not. This is surely an opportunity to boost the economy and small business.

[Mary Creagh]

Indeed. Our proposal to reduce VAT to 5% on people’s improvements to their homes in making them more heat and energy-efficient is absolutely part of this agenda.

Public Forest Estate (England)

Debate between Bill Esterson and Mary Creagh

Wednesday 2nd February 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mary Creagh]

My hon. Friend makes an interesting point. I think that the reason is that the Government are planning the transfer of nature reserves away from Natural England, and planning changes to the governance of the national parks. Those changes are coming down the tracks, and those on the Government Benches would do well to heed them now so that they are not caught napping next time.

[Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)]

I want to raise the issue of the public perception of the plans, and to read out what my constituent, Lindsey Page, has told me. She says:

“I have heard the argument that if a forest area is sold off then there will be safeguards written into the contract of sale that should safeguard the access, but I don’t believe such contracts are enforceable.”

Does not that go to the heart of the matter? The public have no faith that there will be adequate safeguards.