Shifting heating and transport to electric devices only disguises emissions unless they are powered by a clean grid – and even if not, the extra demand on the system will require vast amounts of new cables and pylons.
“HS2 is in the process of being built, it is transformational… the Prime Minister is absolutely committed to levelling up, and this is part of that levelling up.”
Reports suggest that Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt plan both to scrap HS2’s northern link between Birmingham and Manchester and to stop the line from terminating at London Euston.
What is the point of giving power to local education authorities, academy trusts, and school governors of the Secretary of State is held responsible for every ill-maintained roof?
How much of the post-war public sector estate is going to come to the end of its useful life over the next few decades – and how much will we end up paying for the false economy of cheap concrete?
In my area, ill-judged EU rules have helped see all development blocked for nine years, exacerbating the housing crisis whilst doing little to actually protect the environment.
Even without withdrawing from or renegotiating the Aarhus Convention, there is scope for the Government to raise cost limits, and thus reduce friction and costs in the planning system.
Expanding London Luton Airport means more jobs, more investment, delivered more sustainably, and with enormous dividends pouring into the region. We have prepared an expansion plan that reflects and delivers on the Government’s aviation priorities.
We face a situation where getting each project over the line is iteratively harder and no sooner is a project approved by the Secretary of State but a series of judicial reviews land from community groups.
A fairer deal for those who have to tolerate new power lines and pylons is the best way to reach Net Zero and secure Britain’s energy supply.
If politicians can’t do deliver realistic cost projections and timetables, they need to make sure the public grasp the full scale of the eventual benefits.
Also: leader of backbench unionist caucus quits government over Northern Irish sex education changes; Orkney floats idea of joining Norway.
Every year of pointless delay pushes up operating costs, hobbles our exports, and lets international competitors steal the march on Britain.
Scottish Government also ploughs more money into Ferguson Marine despite conceding it would be cheaper to start from scratch at another yard.
The UK’s cheapest project is only barely cheaper than France’s most expensive; on average, Brits pay two and a half times more (on a per mile basis) than their French counterparts to build the same length of track.