Sam Hall, Conservative Environment Network’s Director, commented on the Autumn Statement:
“Although the environment wasn’t a major focus, there were some green measures to welcome in today’s Budget. More funding for green industries, new nuclear, and renewables and acceleration of grid infrastructure will enhance our energy security, cut emissions, and boost growth, while helping to keep inflation low. It was very positive to see the extension of agricultural inheritance tax relief to farmland in environmental schemes, which dozens of CEN parliamentarians called for in our recent farming manifesto. This tax change will remove a key financial barrier to farmers adopting more sustainable practices and restoring nature on their land.
“But the Chancellor missed this pre-election opportunity to demonstrate that a conservative approach can deliver our climate goals through targeted green tax cuts to unlock private investment. It is important, electorally and environmentally, that the party sets out some bold tax incentives in its manifesto, particularly in areas like energy efficiency and clean heating. In the meantime, ministers should pull other levers to grow investment in green industries, for instance, by requiring energy bill discounts for communities hosting new renewables and pylons.”
The following Conservative Environment Network policies were announced by the Chancellor today:
Extension of inheritance relief to farmland which is delivering benefits for nature as part of the Environmental Land Management schemes, which was called for by 27 MPs in our farming manifesto, Ploughing ahead