Member News
A backbench bill allowing councils to impose higher energy efficiency standards on new homes and offices has completed its parliamentary passage and is set to become law.
With government backing, Conservative former minister Michael Fallon's Planning and Energy Bill squeezed under the wire on Friday as the axe was due to fall on more than two dozen other backbench measures.
On the final day for private members' bills during the current parliamentary session Fallon's proposals were cleared to go forward.
The bill allows councils in England and Wales to require that a "proportion of energy" used in developments should come from renewable sources.
It also allows them to set higher energy efficiency standards than under current rules.
Ministers were not initially convinced of the need for the bill but backed it after changes in committee made it a more "workable piece of legislation" in the government's eyes.
Communities and local government minister Sadiq Khan congratulated Fallon on steering the bill through "all the parliamentary hoops" that can lead to an MP's bill being blocked.
Khan said Fallon's personality had helped secure the government's backing.
He said: "One of the reasons why we ought to be so conciliatory is the approach, the tenor showed by the opposition front bench.
"And more importantly, the personality of the Member for Sevenoaks and the way he has managed to bring us together.
"One hopes he can manage to play a role in other areas of legislation where greater working together may lead to greater fruits for the country."
Gregory Barker, for the Tories, agreed with the call to "send for Fallon", adding that his party had been "very strong supporters" of the bill from the outset.
It was "key" to fighting climate change, promoting localism and energy independence, he said, praising Khan for his work on ensuring it made it onto the statute book.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd