Chris Huhne the secretary of state for energy and climate change has resigned after the director of Public Prosecutions said he would be prosecuted for perverting the cause of justice after claims he asked his wife to accept penalty points over a speeding case in 2003. Mr Huhne called the decision ‘deeply regrettable’ but added that he will ‘fight the charges’ and continue to represent his constituents as Eastleigh MP.
The BBC is reporting that Liberal Democrat Ed Davey will replace him.
Mr Huhne’s ex-wife Vicky Pryce has also been charged with perverting the course of justice. They will both appear in court on 16 February.
Huhne has been seen as a champion of the Green Agenda and is behind the government’s flag ship Green Deal set to be launched this autumn. But DECC has faced a barrage of criticism over the Feed in tariff debacle.
Meanwhile, the government this week unveiled its long-awaited consultation for tightening part L of the Building regulations. The new document sets out a lower than expected leap in the carbon reduction requirements of new homes. A demand of 8% is being proposed, rather than the previously thought 25%.
The document also calls for households to carry out energy efficiency improvements when carrying out other works to their home. This is intended to bolster the roll out of the Green Deal.
But Green building expert David Strong told Building, that the government’s plan to require improvements when they are “technically, functionally, and economically feasible” would leave loopholes in the system.
Peter O’Connell, Federation of Master Builders policy manager, said the policy was “well-intentioned but misplaced”.
He said a survey of FMB members on the impact of consequential improvements, carried out in 2010, found that 41% expected home owners to use “cowboy builders” to get round the obligations, and a further 40% expected clients to cancel jobs due to the extra cost.
