Labour’s commitment to energy efficient homes and licensing a promising step forward

The Chartered institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has welcomed the commitments in the Labour Party Manifesto to improving energy efficiency in the housing sector and to nationwide licensing.

CIEH has campaigned strongly this year on the need for a mandatory registration scheme for landlords operating in the private rented sector in England. We are encouraged by the Labour Party’s appreciation of the need for action in this area alongside upgrading homes to make them energy efficient.

The Party’s manifesto also made a number of pledges in essential policy areas championed by CIEH in its Manifesto for Environmental Health, such as a commitment to a new Clean Air Act, a guarantee to follow World Health Organisation guidance on air pollution and a pledge to minimise food waste.

Anne Godfrey, CIEH Chief Executive, said:

“The Labour Party’s focus in their manifesto on improving housing standards is a welcome one. It is an area our members are passionate about and we have campaigned strongly this year on issues such as landlord registration, energy efficiency and warm homes.

“We are also encouraged by the appreciation of the need to tackle our nation’s growing air quality crisis and are delighted that the Party has mirrored our call in our own manifesto for the UK to adopt the World Health Organisation’s guidance on pollution levels.

“Issues of resource and feasibility certainly need consideration, but these are promising steps in the right direction.

“We continue to call on all political parties to commit to supporting environmental health and the policies in our manifesto.”