The Shadow Chancellor, George Osborne MP and the Shadow Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, Greg Clark MP, announced their green budget plans at a UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) event yesterday.

The UK-GBC welcomed the Conservative's "Shadow Green Budget" but warned even more will need to be done if the UK is to meet its climate change goals.

John Alker, Head of Advocacy at the UK-GBC said: "With 27% of UK emissions coming from our housing stock, the Tories have recognised that tackling climate change starts at home. The plan to 'entitle' householders to a package of energy efficiency measures is a progressive and far-sighted policy. This scheme eliminates the upfront cost of energy efficiency and ensures householders save money on their bills from day one.

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"Aiming to refurbish 10 million homes over 10 years is hugely ambitious, and that should be applauded. But the key to that is effective delivery. To get sufficient uptake in the first few years it might well require an additional upfront fiscal incentive, such as a tax rebate, to sweeten the offer to householders. We would encourage the Conservatives to explore this as soon as possible."

(CD/JM)