Prospective local MP gives backing to bold new plans that will help Winchester households protect the environment and save money.
Major policy proposals for a Conservative government include giving rewards to householders for recycling their rubbish and also a ‘Green Deal’ providing up to £6,500 for home insulation improvements at no upfront cost to residents.
Green Deal: Under the plans, every household will have the right to have home energy efficiency work of up to £6,500. There will be no upfront cost, as the work will be paid for by the much larger savings on energy bills from the improved insulation. This will open up a whole new market in energy efficiency, create tens of thousands of skilled jobs and cut carbon emissions. It will also save families money and make Winchester’s homes warmer in winter – helping the elderly and ‘fuel poor’ in particular. A typical home could see £30 a month knocked off its final bill.
Rewards for recycling: A Conservative government would also scrap Government plans for new bin taxes. Conservatives would work with Winchester City Council and Eastleigh Borough Council to promote schemes where good behaviour is rewarded, but families are not taxed or fined. Under the American ‘Recyclebank’ scheme now being piloted in nearby Conservative-run Windsor and Maidenhead Council, households receive points for recycling; these are then converted into vouchers for local shops, including Marks & Spencer and Costcutter, or into donations to charities.
Steve Brine said; “Gordon Brown hits people with taxes, fines and bans, rather than trusting people and encouraging social responsibility. I believe in incentives to help and reward people to do their bit to help the environment. The Green Deal of insulating people’s homes for no upfront cost and rewarding people for recycling will not only protect the environment, but also help families and pensioners who are struggling to make ends meet.
"I attended the AGM recently of the Winchester Action on Climate Change and their message was very clearly of an urgent need to vastly increase home insulation schemes so I hope we will enjoy WinAcc’s support for this positive policy. As world leaders gather in Copenhagen next week for the crucial climate summit, I think these are practical on the ground policies we can swiftly implement if we are elected next year.”
Pictured; Steve Brine with Harestock resident Robert Courts.
