my idea is to change the regulations that require food shops to secure their waste bins so that people cannot search through them for perfectly edible yet expired food. or if the issue is the danger of people getting into large bins then there should be some provision of a place where people can safely access this source of food.
Why is this idea important?
my idea is to change the regulations that require food shops to secure their waste bins so that people cannot search through them for perfectly edible yet expired food. or if the issue is the danger of people getting into large bins then there should be some provision of a place where people can safely access this source of food.
Allow us to roam freely in our countryside.
Allow us to paddle our boats and swim in our waterways.
Allow us to wild camp on our public land.
If we endanger conservation, teach us how not to.
Bring us in line with Scotland. Please.
Why is this idea important?
Allow us to roam freely in our countryside.
Allow us to paddle our boats and swim in our waterways.
Allow us to wild camp on our public land.
If we endanger conservation, teach us how not to.
Bring us in line with Scotland. Please.
junk mail should only be sent to households who wish to register for it.
Why is this idea important?
junk mail should only be sent to households who wish to register for it.
Difficulty in licensing Hydrogen Vehicles on the UK mainland is a barrier to the introduction of these zero emission and fossil alternative vehicles .
Why is this idea important?
Difficulty in licensing Hydrogen Vehicles on the UK mainland is a barrier to the introduction of these zero emission and fossil alternative vehicles .
scrap and reverse the legislation that has replaced the traditional light bulb with low-energy version
Why is this idea important?
scrap and reverse the legislation that has replaced the traditional light bulb with low-energy version
Bicycles (pedal bikes, push-bikes, whatever you like to call them) should be given a VAT exemption similar to books, food and children's clothes. Bicycle helmets should also be exempt.
Why is this idea important?
Bicycles (pedal bikes, push-bikes, whatever you like to call them) should be given a VAT exemption similar to books, food and children's clothes. Bicycle helmets should also be exempt.
Re-write and simplify the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010. There is absolutely no need for businesses to have to register with the Environment Agency – under threat of prosecution if they do not – if they want to repair bicycles, mend shoes, dismantle telegraph poles or to store and then use either lion or rabbit faeces. I am not kidding – all this and more has to be registered with the Environment Agency or else you run the risk of being prosecuted for not having an environemental permit and subject to a £50,000 fine – for mending shoes for goodness sake!! And they do prosecute for these trivial offences – regularly.
Why is this idea important?
Re-write and simplify the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010. There is absolutely no need for businesses to have to register with the Environment Agency – under threat of prosecution if they do not – if they want to repair bicycles, mend shoes, dismantle telegraph poles or to store and then use either lion or rabbit faeces. I am not kidding – all this and more has to be registered with the Environment Agency or else you run the risk of being prosecuted for not having an environemental permit and subject to a £50,000 fine – for mending shoes for goodness sake!! And they do prosecute for these trivial offences – regularly.
My idea is to remove the current speed limit of 15 mph on electric bicycles and, if necessary, replace it with a 20 mph limit.
Why is this idea important?
My idea is to remove the current speed limit of 15 mph on electric bicycles and, if necessary, replace it with a 20 mph limit.
All new detached homes should have to be constructed taking advantage of at least one form of re-newable micro-electricity generation (solarwindgeo-thermaletc)
This would create jobs, reduce the cost of the technology for everyone and have a number of other enviromental and economic benefits.
By limiting this to detached homes it should not effect (or minimise the effect to) low-cost housing.
In the scheme of things, a few thousand pounds extra to the cost of a new build is minimal.
Why is this idea important?
All new detached homes should have to be constructed taking advantage of at least one form of re-newable micro-electricity generation (solarwindgeo-thermaletc)
This would create jobs, reduce the cost of the technology for everyone and have a number of other enviromental and economic benefits.
By limiting this to detached homes it should not effect (or minimise the effect to) low-cost housing.
In the scheme of things, a few thousand pounds extra to the cost of a new build is minimal.
There is a huge demand for allotments as more people want to grow their own food (health, climate change). Allotments are still bound by laws created many years ago. In today's world we need something that can be more rigorously enforced and which is relevant in today's world.
Why is this idea important?
There is a huge demand for allotments as more people want to grow their own food (health, climate change). Allotments are still bound by laws created many years ago. In today's world we need something that can be more rigorously enforced and which is relevant in today's world.
The Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) scheme (see www.eca.gov.uk) is intended to encourage businesses to invest in plant which saves energy, reduces carbon emissions or conserves water. While the intention is laudable it doesn't work in practice because of the way it has been implemented. In order to qualify for the allowance the plant you buy or the contractor you employ has to be on the approved government list.
Our company has made a significant investment in a water recycling system whereby water is collected from the roof of our warehouse, stored in tanks and used in priority to water from the mains. The work was carried out by a local plumbing contractor and the tanks are adapted agricultural storage tanks; neither, of course, are on the list and the expenditure therefore doesn't qualify for the allowance. And yet we are conserving water in precisely the way this scheme is intended to encourage.
Even when we have been able to claim ECAs they have been for only one component of a larger piece of plant and at a fixed rate which is not necessarity related to the cost of the item. Identifying the component which qualifies requires specialist engineering knowledge and a long trawl through the published lists.
I strongly believe that the scheme should be abolished or at least, in these days of self-assessment, the taxpayer should be allowed to decide whether the capital expenditure qualifies based on criteria and not on a list. Since I'm not generally in favour of the government trying to alter people's behaviour using taxation (except for smoking!) my preference would be for abolition. After all, aren't the savings generated by reducing electricity or water consumption enough of an incentive? And is there any real evidence that ECAs have tipped the balance by encouraging businesses to invest in this type of plant when they might not have otherwise done so?
Why is this idea important?
The Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA) scheme (see www.eca.gov.uk) is intended to encourage businesses to invest in plant which saves energy, reduces carbon emissions or conserves water. While the intention is laudable it doesn't work in practice because of the way it has been implemented. In order to qualify for the allowance the plant you buy or the contractor you employ has to be on the approved government list.
Our company has made a significant investment in a water recycling system whereby water is collected from the roof of our warehouse, stored in tanks and used in priority to water from the mains. The work was carried out by a local plumbing contractor and the tanks are adapted agricultural storage tanks; neither, of course, are on the list and the expenditure therefore doesn't qualify for the allowance. And yet we are conserving water in precisely the way this scheme is intended to encourage.
Even when we have been able to claim ECAs they have been for only one component of a larger piece of plant and at a fixed rate which is not necessarity related to the cost of the item. Identifying the component which qualifies requires specialist engineering knowledge and a long trawl through the published lists.
I strongly believe that the scheme should be abolished or at least, in these days of self-assessment, the taxpayer should be allowed to decide whether the capital expenditure qualifies based on criteria and not on a list. Since I'm not generally in favour of the government trying to alter people's behaviour using taxation (except for smoking!) my preference would be for abolition. After all, aren't the savings generated by reducing electricity or water consumption enough of an incentive? And is there any real evidence that ECAs have tipped the balance by encouraging businesses to invest in this type of plant when they might not have otherwise done so?
There is already some easing of restrictions on installing microgeneration equipment on your own property, but this should go much further. Ultimately, there should be a right to erect specified kinds of renewable energy and energy efficiency systems on your own property without lengthy planning applications. This could include solar panels, wind turbines, micro-hydro, small biomass power plants, microhydro, and external insulation cladding for homes.
Some consideration can be made for actual physical impact like actual noise levels in densely populated areas, particulate pollution from biomass burning etc. These can be predetermined from knowing the type of system that will be built. But largely, the criteria of visual/landscape impact should no longer apply. It could be possible that renewable energy installations, subject to simple assessment criteria, could be removed entirely from the planning process.
Also, anti-competitive rules for large companies should be reformed to permit water companies to get into the renewable electricity generation business. At the moment they are only allowed to install renewables for generating electricity for their own use, not for export to the grid. They own lots of land suitable for renewables, but can't make use of it due to these restrictions.
Why is this idea important?
There is already some easing of restrictions on installing microgeneration equipment on your own property, but this should go much further. Ultimately, there should be a right to erect specified kinds of renewable energy and energy efficiency systems on your own property without lengthy planning applications. This could include solar panels, wind turbines, micro-hydro, small biomass power plants, microhydro, and external insulation cladding for homes.
Some consideration can be made for actual physical impact like actual noise levels in densely populated areas, particulate pollution from biomass burning etc. These can be predetermined from knowing the type of system that will be built. But largely, the criteria of visual/landscape impact should no longer apply. It could be possible that renewable energy installations, subject to simple assessment criteria, could be removed entirely from the planning process.
Also, anti-competitive rules for large companies should be reformed to permit water companies to get into the renewable electricity generation business. At the moment they are only allowed to install renewables for generating electricity for their own use, not for export to the grid. They own lots of land suitable for renewables, but can't make use of it due to these restrictions.
The banning of bonfires in residential or rural populated areas.
Why is this idea important?
The banning of bonfires in residential or rural populated areas.
We need an unbiased debate about whether or not global warming is happening and if it is man made.
This is an issue where the argument was closed down and any dissenters pilloried. Many eminent scientists including David Bellamy (remember him he used to be on the BBC until he refused to toe the global warming line) have expressed disagreement with the way this debate has been politicised.
Why is this idea important?
We need an unbiased debate about whether or not global warming is happening and if it is man made.
This is an issue where the argument was closed down and any dissenters pilloried. Many eminent scientists including David Bellamy (remember him he used to be on the BBC until he refused to toe the global warming line) have expressed disagreement with the way this debate has been politicised.
The sale of 100W light bulbs and, it seems, all frosted light bulbs not deemed energy efficient were banned last year.
Why is this idea important?
The sale of 100W light bulbs and, it seems, all frosted light bulbs not deemed energy efficient were banned last year.
Collect people's rubbish in a convenient and timely manner that enables increased recycling. Don't put draconian and petty rules in place around this that look stupid when reported on the front page of the Mail.
– Incentivise people to recycle, don't penalise by charges and fines/threats. Re: ridiculous case of criminal charges for a piece of paper sneaking into the glass recycling.
– Offer greater doorstep recycling options.
– Enabling collection of excess rubbish – with bi-weekly collections it's easy to go 4-6 weeks without a bin collection if you're away a lot, big family christmas, bins not currently collected if left 1cm open… Re: ridiculous case of £200 fine for bin left open a few cm.
– No silly legislation over timing of when bins are left out – if you're away what else are you meant to do, especially if collections are already bi-weekly?
Why is this idea important?
Collect people's rubbish in a convenient and timely manner that enables increased recycling. Don't put draconian and petty rules in place around this that look stupid when reported on the front page of the Mail.
– Incentivise people to recycle, don't penalise by charges and fines/threats. Re: ridiculous case of criminal charges for a piece of paper sneaking into the glass recycling.
– Offer greater doorstep recycling options.
– Enabling collection of excess rubbish – with bi-weekly collections it's easy to go 4-6 weeks without a bin collection if you're away a lot, big family christmas, bins not currently collected if left 1cm open… Re: ridiculous case of £200 fine for bin left open a few cm.
– No silly legislation over timing of when bins are left out – if you're away what else are you meant to do, especially if collections are already bi-weekly?
Abolish the fixed annual car tax/Road Fund Licence and replace it with additional fuel duty. This way the people who drive the most pay the most tax.
Why is this idea important?
Abolish the fixed annual car tax/Road Fund Licence and replace it with additional fuel duty. This way the people who drive the most pay the most tax.