Bill Esterson MP welcomes energy efficient homes scheme, but says it is:- "just a downpayment" on future Labour plans

A ₤28.5m scheme to improve the energy efficiency of 2,500 homes across Merseyside, has been welcomed by Sefton Central MP, Bill Esterson, but he added that:- "The Government investment was paltry compared to Labour's plans." In a statement to the media, about the ₤28.5m Liverpool City Region plan, Bill Esterson MP said:- "Climate change is the biggest issue of our time and while this ₤28.5m funding is welcome, it is paltry compared to Labour's ambitious plans, which meet the scale of the challenge. The retrofitting of housing is key to fighting climate change. A plan to fit 2,500 homes in the Liverpool City Region with insulation, double glazing, upgraded heating systems and other renewable and low carbon technologies is a start, but it is just a downpayment on what is needed in the future if the UK is to meet its net zero targets."

We are told that Labour have pledged to spend ₤60bn over a decade to retrofit 19 million homes. If the sums are correct, it could save households more than ₤400 per year on energy bills.

Mr Esterson added:- "The Tories inherited plans from Labour to make every new home zero carbon. They scrapped them and now we have a crisis in energy prices and a fight to get to net zero. Emissions from homes have increased and we have the least energy-efficient housing in Europe. There are more than 650,000 homes in the Liverpool City Region. Retrofitting 2,500 of them is a drop in the ocean."

This latest funding is in addition to a previous ₤11.3m scheme which is currently seeing around 1,100 homes across the City Region being fitted with the same sort of measures to improve energy efficiency and cut bills.

The funding, from the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, will be spread across all 6Liverpool City Region Local Authorities.

The primary purpose of the funding is to raise the energy efficiency rating of low income and low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated homes (those with D, E, F or G) both on the gas grid and off the gas grid. This funding will also support low income households with the transition to low-carbon heating.
The funding was announced by the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram.

Mr Esterson concluded:- "The Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram is doing an excellent job of using the crumbs the Government give us in the most effective way to help the most vulnerable of our citizens. With Labour in Government we would turbo boost that investment so even more people will benefit, more jobs will be created and there will be more money in the pockets of local people to spend here in the Liverpool City Region."

CLA comments on shocking increase in fly tipping incidents

NEWLY released figures from Defra shows that incidents of fly tipping on public land have increased by 16%% across England in 2020/2021. These figures underline the damage afflicted on Councils in England, who have dealt with 1.13 million fly tipping incidents during this period.

Compared with the previous reporting period 2019/20, fly tipping incidents (stated as a number of incidents per 1,000 inhabitants) have shown an increase in both the North West (from 16 to 19) and North East (from 24 to 31). The figures for Yorkshire and The Humber showed a slight decrease in incidents from 17 to 16 incidents per 1,000 people.

Not a single local authority in across these Northern sub Regions have imposed a fine above ₤5,000. Total number of fines and number of vehicles seized per sub Region as follows:-

► North East - 47 fines issued / 23 vehicles seized.

► North West - 180 fines issued / 6 vehicles seized.

► Yorkshire and The Humber - 71 fines issued / 19 vehicles seized.

Sadly these figures only account for waste illegally dumped on public land which has been reported to the authorities. Representing around 28,000 rural businesses across England and Wales, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) believes these figures only tell ˝ of the story.

The vast majority of fly tipping incidents occur on privately owned land, painting an even more damaging picture of the financial burden fly tipping brings. 1CLA member is so badly affected that they are facing a bill of over ₤100,000 to clear up 1particularly shocking incident.

This highlights the need to change the current fining and imprisonment laws, which are not enforced and do not deter criminals.

CLA Director North Lucinda Douglas said:- "These figures do not tell the full story of this disgraceful behaviour which blights our beautiful countryside. Local Authorities tend not to get involved with clearing incidences of fly tipped waste from private land, leaving the landowner to clean up and foot what is often an extortionate bill. The Government figures do not reflect the true scale of the crime because increasing reports of fly tipping on private rural land are not included, coupled with the country plunged into lockdown. Fly tipping continues to wreck the lives of many of us living and working in the countryside; and significant progress needs to be made to stop it. It's not just the odd bin bag but large household items, from:- unwanted sofas to broken washing machines, building materials and even asbestos being dumped across our countryside. Although the maximum fine for anyone caught fly tipping is ₤50,000 or 12 months' imprisonment, if convicted in a Magistrates' Court, this is rarely enforced. Unless tougher or more realistic action is taken to combat this kind of rural crime, it will continue to wreak devastation across rural communities This is why it's crucial that tougher punishments are imposed by the Courts."

Responding to the annual fly tipping statistics for England for 2020/21, Cllr David Renard, Environment Spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said:- "Fly tipping is inexcusable. It is not only an eyesore for residents, but a serious public health risk, creating pollution and attracting rats and other vermin. It also costs local taxpayers at least ₤50 million a year to clear up. Councils have done what they can during the extremely challenging circumstances of the Pandemic to crack down on fly tippers, which has led to staff shortages and Court closures during lockdowns. We continue to urge the Government to review sentencing guidelines for fly tipping, so that offenders are given bigger fines for more serious offences to act as a deterrent. Manufacturers should also contribute to the costs to Councils of clear up, by providing more take back services so people can hand in old furniture and mattresses when they buy new ones."

The CLA introduced a 5 point action plan to tackle fly tipping which called on Local Authorities, the Environment Agency and Police Forces to commit to stronger action against the increase of fly tipping on private land. The CLA believes that each local authority should have a dedicated lead for fly tipping to aid partnership working.

If you want to read the figures that have been released in full, please go to:- Gov.UK.