Exclusive: Almost £40m given since 2010 as government delays to low-carbon regulations save builders and developers billions
At least one-tenth of the money donated to the Conservative party and its MPs since 2010 has come from property developers, real estate tycoons and others connected to the construction industry, an exclusive Guardian analysis reveals.
Meanwhile, housebuilders and property developers have benefited by billions of pounds from delays to low-carbon building regulations in the past eight years. The delays mean homeowners and taxpayers will have to pay tens of billions of pounds to bring newly built homes up to low-carbon standards, and have resulted in years of unnecessarily high greenhouse gas emissions, and higher energy bills for residents.
Refusing to require new homes to be built with heat pumps instead of gas boilers, resulting in most new homes being connected to the gas grid.
Refusing to mandate that new homes are built with solar panels.
Delaying tougher building regulations on insulation.
Delaying a “future homes standard” to ensure new homes are net zero carbon.
Continuing to back hydrogen for home heating, after experts warned it would be expensive and impractical.
Attempting to scrap nutrient regulations that would force housebuilders to clean up watercourses.
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