Lib Dems celebrate Sunshine Bill victory

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

• Liberal Democrat win as Govt accept Max Wilkinson’s campaign for renewable energy technology to be mandated for new homes
• Mandated solar included in the Govt’s Future Homes Standard

Max Wilkinson MP is celebrating victory in his campaign for solar energy generation technology to be included in all new homes as standard.

Following his Private Member’s Bill earlier this year – known as the Sunshine Bill - the Government today announced that all new homes will now include renewable energy generation technology as standard.

Max called for the law change shortly after becoming an MP last July, which means he will have successfully campaigned to change the law within one year of being elected.

His Sunshine Bill was debated in the House of Commons in January and received widespread support from industry figures, the public and MPs from all parties.

As a result of his campaign and negotiations with Ministers, Max secured commitments from the government that they would incorporate the measures set out in the Sunshine Bill into the updated Future Homes Standard.

Next week, the Liberal Democrats will be pushing for a vote in Parliament to ensure all new car parks are built with solar panels, with an amendment (NC7) to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

Commenting Max Wilkinson, MP for Cheltenham, said:

“This news will help us fight the cost-of-living crisis by lowering people’s energy bills while reducing carbon emissions too.

“Mandatory solar and renewable energy generation for new build homes means the next generation of homes will be better for the planet and less expensive to run.

“I’ve been campaigning on this since long before I was an MP and was determined to build on its success after I was elected.

“I welcome today’s news from the Government and I’m pleased we can all look forward to a brighter future – but there will be more work to do to ensure solar for new builds begins without delay.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Max’s Sunshine Bill, formally known as the New Homes (solar generation) Bill, had its second reading in the House of Commons in January.

The Bill was backed by a coalition of energy companies and campaign groups and the principle of mandatory solar on newbuild homes enjoys widespread support among the public.

Amendment to Planning Bill next week:

★. To move the following Clause—

“New car parks to include solar panels

(1) No local planning authority may approve an application for the building of

an above-ground car park which does not make the required provision of solar

panels.

(2) The required provision of solar panels is an amount equivalent to 50% of the

surface area of the car park.”

Member's explanatory statement

This new clause would require solar panels to be provided with all new car parks.