LABOUR STILL TOO SLOW IN GRASPING THE NEED FOR CHANGE - HUHNE

12.00.00am GMT Sun 13th May 2007

Commenting on Gordon Brown's announcement today that the Government will create five new zero-carbon towns, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"Labour is still far too slow in grasping the need for change.

"The Government should insist on state of the art building standards from 2011, not just 2016, and use these eco-towns to boost mass production of insulating products, solar thermal heating and water units.

"With large numbers of eco-homes being built, costs will come down so that young couples will find it easier to get on the housing ladder as they will save more on energy bills than the extra cost of construction.

"The Government must also beef up its programmes for upgrading our existing homes, as nearly three quarters of the houses we will use in 2050 have already been built. The road to zero carbon buildings is not just through new construction."