The manifesto also includes pledges to introduce a timetable for the Green Investment Bank (GIB) to be given additional powers to borrow and invest in green business and technology, as well as the creation of an Energy Security Board to “plan and deliver the energy mix we need”, including renewables.
The Party said it would introduce a legal target to remove carbon from the UK’s electricity supply by 2030, as well as seeking “ambitious” emissions reduction targets at United Nations level. The Party has described tackling climate change as an ‘economic necessity’.
According to Labour, the UK’s membership of the European Union is “central to our prosperity and security” and the Party says it will work to change the EU from within.
Elsewhere in the manifesto, Labour says it will introduce more support for small businesses by strengthening rules on late payment as well as cutting and then freezing business rates for more than 1.5 million smaller business properties.
Launching the manifesto today, Labour leader Ed Miliband said: “While we will maintain a competitive tax regime for large firms, we will champion small and medium-sized firms, and cut and freeze business rates for 1.5 million companies. Because small and medium sized businesses will create so many of the profits, wealth and jobs of the future.”
However, there is no mention in the manifesto regarding the possible establishment of an Office for Resource Management (ORM) within government – a policy called for last month by the All-Party Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group (APSRG).
Shadow resources minister Barry Gardiner MP had attended the APSRG event at which the ORM policy paper was launched, but remained tight lipped over whether his party fully supported such a policy (see letsrecycle.com story).
Mr Gardiner has previously criticised the coalition government over its waste policy and last year said a Labour government would review domestic recycling targets, move to improve waste data gathering and boost product design – although there is no mention of these policies in today’s manifesto (see letsrecycle.com story).
The Labour Party faced criticism from the organics recycling sector earlier this year over its decision against including a ban on food waste to landfill in its election manifesto, despite previously supporting the policy (see letsrecycle.com story).
General Election 2015
Among the other parties the Liberal Democrats have pledged to introduce a 70% recycling rate in England if elected as part of the Party’s Zero Waste Bill proposals (see letsrecycle.com story). The Lib Dems are expected to launch their manifesto on Wednesday (April 15).
A 70% recycling target has also been included in a draft version the Green Party’s election manifesto, as well as a ban on food waste to landfill and an aim to increase spending on waste and recycling by 50% – the final document is due to be published tomorrow (see letsrecycle.com story).
Meanwhile, the Conservative Party is also expected to launch its 2015 manifesto this week.
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