Green plans will boost jobs and homes in Epping Forest

12.00.00am GMT Tue 23rd Dec 2008

Liberal Democrats in Epping Forest have given their backing to plans for investment in green schemes that will make homes warmer, cut energy bills and improve public transport. The plans, called Green Road out of Recession, were announced on 18th December by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg MP.

The plans will cost £12.5bn, which would be paid for by scrapping the proposed VAT cut. The vast majority of that money will be spent immediately, making a real impact on the economy and people's lives right away.

Green Road out of the Recession proposals include:

• A five-year programme to insulate every school and hospital, with 20% completed in the first year

• Funding insulation and energy efficiency for a million homes, with a £1,000 subsidy for a million more

• Building 40,000 extra zero-carbon social houses

• Buying 700 new train carriages

• Quadrupling the number of train lines between Broxbourne and Cheshunt

• Installing energy and money saving smart meters in every home within five years

"The plans proposed by Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats will give an immediate boost to the economy here in Epping Forest," said Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner Ann Haigh. "And by insulating people's homes, it will help thousands of residents whose heating bills have gone through the roof in the past year.

"Whilst Labour and the Conservatives are quietly dropping serious interest in tackling climate change and damage to the environment, Liberal Democrats believe that moving forward with green action on homes and transport will create jobs, cut energy bills, put money back into people's pockets and protect the environment."