‘Vast Majority' of new homes will have solar panels, says Miliband
It comes a month after Downing Street confirmed the panels should be installed on as many new properties as possible amid speculation that ministers will make them a mandatory requirement on new builds by 2027.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Miliband described the proposed policy as 'just common sense' and said the panels should be 'almost universal' on English homes.
Changes to regulations will be laid out in the Future Homes Standard, due to be published later this year.
The previous Conservative Government considered a proposal that would have mandated rooftop solar panels to cover 40% of a building's ground area or equivalent.
'The problem about the previous system was that it said you would had to have a certain percentage of coverage of solar panels, but if you couldn't achieve that percentage, you didn't have to do anything at all,' Mr Miliband said.
'Under our plans, we are not going to say that. We are going to say even if you can't hit 40% you will still have to have some solar panels, except in rare, exceptional cases.'
He added that the number of homes fitted with solar panels needed to be 'much higher'.
The policy is estimated to add between £3,000 and £4,000 to the cost of construction, but to then save owners more than £1,000 on their annual energy bills, according to the Times, which first reported the change.
Asked in May whether housebuilders would be legally required to fit the panels, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: 'Of course we want to see solar panels on as many new homes as possible.
'The Future Homes Standard, which will be published in the coming months, will include measures to drive this, we're working on the detail of that and will provide an update on that in due course.
'But it's good news for householders who want lower energy bills.'
Under the Government's new proposals, 80% of new builds would reportedly be required to have solar panels covering 40% of their ground area, while 19% would have slightly fewer because of exemptions, including roof pitch and overshading.
Ministers last year rejected a private members' Bill aiming to force housebuilders to install solar panels on the roof of every new home, saying the proposals would potentially slow down construction and add to building costs.Labour's manifesto included a pledge to build 1.5 million new homes over the course of the Parliament.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
26 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
NHS set for boost of up to £30bn as other budgets feel squeeze
The Department of Health is set to be handed a 2.8% annual increase in its day-to-day budget over a three-year period. The cash injection, which amounts to a rise of about £30 billion by 2028, or £17 billion in real terms, will see other areas including police and councils squeezed, The Times newspaper reported. Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to ensure that by the next election 92% of patients in England waiting for planned treatment are seen within 18 weeks of being referred. Latest NHS data suggests around 60% of people are currently seen in this time and figures released last month showed the overall number of patients on waiting lists had risen slightly from 6.24 million to 6.25 million. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has acknowledged that she had been forced to turn down requests for funding in a sign of the behind-the-scenes wrangling over her spending review. She insisted the blame for the tight economic situation lay with the Conservatives rather than her rigid rules on borrowing and spending. The Chancellor said despite a £190 billion increase in funding over the spending review period 'not every department will get everything that they want next week and I have had to say no to things that I want to do too'. On top of the increase in day-to-day spending, funded in part by the tax hikes Ms Reeves set out in her budget, looser borrowing rules will help support a £113 billion investment package. Economists have warned the Chancellor faces 'unavoidably' tough choices when she sets out departmental spending plans on June 11. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank said defence and the NHS will dominate the review, raising the prospect of cuts to other unprotected departments.
Telegraph
29 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Lord Hermer defended suspected Iraqi bomber
Sir Keir Starmer's law chief represented a suspected Iraqi bomb maker who won more than £33,000 in compensation from the Government. Court documents show that Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, represented Abd Ali Hameed Ali Al-Waheed, who was arrested by British troops after a partly assembled IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and explosives were found at his sister's home in Basra. In the case, Al-Waheed won a total of £33,500 for unlawful detention by the British forces, beating by soldiers and 'inhuman and degrading' treatment after an internal review cleared him of any involvement in the insurgency against the British. It is the latest case highlighted by shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, who last week published a video claiming Lord Hermer was unfit to be Attorney General because he had spent his life 'defending Britain's enemies.' The Attorney General has previously defended his record by pointing to the 'cab rank' principle, which requires barristers to accept cases within their area of expertise regardless of the client. Allies also maintain that his extensive previous private practice as a barrister does not impinge upon his current role providing independent legal advice to the Government. However, Mr Jenrick said: 'Even Hermer's colleagues acknowledge he is an activist lawyer that made his career acting against the British Government. He is uniquely ill-suited to being Attorney General. 'But Sir Keir Starmer won't sack him because he's cut from the same cloth as Hermer: his loyalty is to the human rights brigade, not the British people.' List of clients The shadow justice secretary has previously criticised Lord Hermer for acting for Gerry Adams, Shamima Begum and Al-Qaeda chief Rangzieb Ahmed, Osama bin Laden's right-hand man. A professional friend of Lord Hermer last week noted how the 'cab rank' principle did not prevent barristers from picking and choosing cases. Al-Waheed was arrested after soldiers raided his sister's house looking for his brother-in-law, Ali Jaleel, who was suspected of involvement in terrorist activities. Ali Jaleel was out, but a partly assembled IED and a large quantity of explosives were found in the house. Al-Waheed claimed he was 'systematically beaten and tortured' by soldiers on his arrest and subjected to multiple forms of inhuman and degrading treatment during his detention, including sleep deprivation and denied sight and hearing by being hooded. Despite an internal review clearing him of involvement, he claims he was held for 33 days unlawfully in breach of Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). A spokesman for the Attorney General said: 'Over a 30-year career the Attorney General has represented very many people including victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, military veterans killed and injured in service, victims of rape and serious sexual abuse, victims of human trafficking and modern slavery, the Ukrainian Legal Taskforce as well as thousands of victims of environmental disasters. How barristers work 'It is a feature and cornerstone of our legal system that legal professionals operate the cab rank rule when it comes to clients, and barristers do not associate themselves with their clients' opinions. The Code of Conduct for Barristers prohibits them from refusing instructions on the basis of their views of the character, reputation, cause, conduct, guilt or innocence of the client. Some Conservatives have criticised the attacks on Lord Hermer as unfair. Dr Ben Spencer, a shadow minister, said: 'It's absolutely right to question Lord Hermer's judgement based on his decisions in role. But, even the worst of us must have legal representation.' Former attorney general Dominic Grieve said Mr Jenrick's video was a 'disgraceful' attack on the UK's 'principles of justice and freedoms', which relied on a 'level playing field' for individuals' legal representation under the cab rank rule. Lord Hermer has, however, faced a barrage of criticism in recent days after comparing calls by Tory and Reform politicians to leave the ECHR to the rise of Nazism.
Scottish Sun
44 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Patrick Stewart offers glimpse into how Rangers will approach first transfer window with Russell Martin and new owners
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PATRICK STEWART has described Rangers as a club with "unfulfilled potential" as he prepares for the first transfer window under a new ownership regime and management team. Russell Martin was confirmed as the Ibrox side's head coach on Thursday, following the arrival of Kevin Thelwell and Dan Purdy as sporting director and technical director. 2 Russell Martin and Patrick Stewart on the day Martin was unveiled as Rangers boss Credit: PA On May 30 the £90million takeover by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises was finally completed after months of negotiations. An initial £20million of investment has been promised and a share issue will follow to help raise more funds. With the Light Blues in Champions League qualifying action on July 22/23 and 29/30, the summer rebuild must start soon. We looked at how Martin could transform Rangers, in particular by recruiting trusted former players. Gers chief Stewart acknowledged there is a lot of ground to be made up on Celtic in the league, but believes Martin has arrived early enough for them to make signings before the Euro qualifiers next month. Speaking in an interview with Rangers TV, he said: 'There is a lot of hard work to be done, just to be clear. I think there always is every pre-season for Rangers because the European qualifiers come so early, so let's not shy away from that. 'That said, we have got Russell in and the transfer window doesn't open for another ten days and the first team don't return for another two weeks, so actually you could look at it glass half full and say we have got him in well in advance of those two key events. 'But let's not kid ourselves, there is a lot of hard work to be done but I know Russell is determined to get stuck into that. 'The potential of Rangers, we know it is unfulfilled at the moment. 'This is a huge club and supporters, players, management and staff, we have all been frustrated at not having achieved the heights. Rangers fans react to news Russell Martin is their new manager 'It feels now though that we are making steps forward and new ownership is a massive step forward. 'My excitement and optimism levels have definitely increased but they were always there because there is so much that is positive about this club.' Stewart was asked how Martin's experience in both Scotland and England during his career will help them in the recruitment process. He said that combining Martin's knowledge with Thelwell's contacts book should lead to positive results in the transfer market. Stewart said that they will pay close attention to the Scottish and English markets, as players there will have an understanding of the British game. But that won't stop them from scouting players further afield - the only condition being that they must ALREADY be suited to playing in Scotland, rather than trying to mould them into the finished product. He said: 'Having an understanding of the Scottish game I would say is a key factor because every league is unique and we can look at some of the fixtures that have to be played as part of the SPFL. 'Every ground has its nuances and every club has its nuances, so somebody that comes in with an understanding of that is a huge asset. 'Equally, when it comes to recruiting players having a knowledge of markets outside of Scotland and players outside of Scotland, and off-the-pitch talent outside of Scotland as well, is a huge advantage. 'So yes, I think we are really fortunate to have somebody who has that Scottish background and also English experience as well." 2 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
