The short version
- The Conservative Party is launching a major policy offensive centered on tax reductions and significant deregulation, including the proposed abolition of Natural England and the Environment Agency.
- Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith frames these measures as essential for economic growth, specifically targeting high housing costs through changes to developer levies and building standards.
- The proposals face immediate criticism from rivals who accuse the Tories of copying Reform UK policies, while internal party figures remain divided on the sustainability of pension protections.
The Conservative Party is attempting to redefine its economic identity with a comprehensive plan focused on deregulation and tax reduction. Shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith is set to present these proposals during the second day of the party conference in Birmingham, describing the initiative as the most ambitious effort to cut red tape in a generation. This strategic shift comes as the Conservatives work to rehabilitate their image following a historic defeat in the 2024 general election. The party aims to convince voters that it can be trusted with the nation's finances again, countering years of criticism regarding its economic record between 2010 and 2024.
Central to Griffith’s agenda is a push to lower the cost of housing by removing what he describes as unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. The plan includes abolishing the Future Homes Standard, which sets energy efficiency requirements for new buildings, and replacing existing developer contribution schemes with a single levy. Currently, section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy require developers to fund local community projects. Conservatives argue that consolidating these into one charge would reduce delays and improve how funds are utilized, potentially cutting the cost of delivering a new home by up to £50,000.
In a move that signals a significant departure from recent environmental governance structures, the party proposes abolishing both Natural England and the Environment Agency. Their functions would be absorbed into the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Additionally, the Conservatives intend to scrap the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, which mandates that companies cover the costs of collecting and recycling their packaging. The party contends that removing these obligations will lift a burden from businesses, thereby helping to reduce food prices for consumers.
Infrastructure development remains a cornerstone of the proposed strategy, with Griffith throwing his support behind the expansion of Heathrow Airport. He characterized the failure to build a third runway as a national embarrassment and argued that decisive action is needed to boost capacity. This stance contrasts with the current government’s position; Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declined to explicitly endorse the project, describing it primarily as a matter for Londoners. The proposal also marks a reversal from the Conservative-led coalition government’s decision in 2010 to scrap earlier expansion plans.
The political reception to these announcements has been swift and critical. Reform UK accused the Conservatives of copying their policies, with economy spokesman Robert Jenrick suggesting the Tories are unable to match Reform’s momentum. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper dismissed the proposals, arguing that the Conservatives have cemented their status as an anti-growth party by rejecting closer ties with Europe. She questioned the credibility of the party’s economic pledges given their past financial records.
Internal consistency within the Conservative leadership also faces scrutiny regarding social welfare commitments. Griffith affirmed that the party would maintain the pensions triple lock, a policy guaranteeing state pensions rise in line with either inflation or earnings, whichever is higher. This commitment stands in contrast to previous comments from Griffith himself, who wrote in 2021 that the triple lock was unfair because pensioners could benefit from the misfortune of others. Furthermore, senior Conservatives including former chancellor Jeremy Hunt and shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat have individually suggested that the current system is unsustainable.
The government has responded by emphasizing fiscal discipline. Chancellor John Healey stated that all promises made by his administration would be grounded in financial responsibility, with an upcoming budget intended to provide breathing space for families and businesses. Griffith countered these assertions by accusing Burnham of pursuing a socialist agenda reminiscent of the 1970s. As the conference continues, shadow ministers are expected to elaborate on these proposals, aiming to present a coherent alternative to the current Labour government.
The broader context of this policy unveiling is the Conservative Party’s struggle to rebuild trust after years in power. The party faces repeated attacks from opponents regarding its economic management during its tenure from 2010 to 2024. By focusing on deregulation and infrastructure, Griffith aims to position the Conservatives as the party of growth and efficiency. However, the success of this strategy will depend on whether voters view these changes as practical solutions or as a repetition of past failures that contributed to their electoral defeat.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC News↗Shadow chancellor to unveil Tory plans to cut taxes and regulations
