Front-bench Lib Dems back 'Cambridge standards'

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 24th Jul 2007

Lib Dem front bench MPs have backed Cambridge MP David Howarth's campaign for higher energy efficiency standards for Cambridge.

During a debate in the House of Commons yesterday on the Housing Green Paper, the Lib Dem Shadow Minister for Housing Paul Holmes MP asked Yvette Cooper whether she would allow councils like Cambridge City Council to set energy efficiency standards for new homes above the Government's own building regulations. The Minister did not agree to allow the Cambridge standards and refused to explain how the Government's proposed zero-carbon developments would be built without allowing higher environmental standards.

Mr Howarth commented:

"I'm very pleased that the Liberal Democrat cabinet is backing the campaign to allow Cambridge to set high environmental standards from developers but yet again the Government's response has been disappointing.

"The Labour Government talk about zero-carbon homes is meaningless while it continues to block Cambridge's plans for higher environmental standards in new homes.

David Howarth MP

"If we are to make sure that the new homes we are building are more energy efficient and make better use of renewable energy we need to be demanding higher standards from developers."