Bob Mayho, principal policy officer for the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, writes for ePolitix.com on its pre-election manifesto.
Please view a copy of the CIEH manifesto.
The CIEH manifesto for Environmental Health argues that the next government must, as a priority, deal with the 2.1 million private sector dwellings that have the 'excess cold' hazard, acting to ensure that all dwellings in the private rented sector meet the decent homes standard. And the greatest priority must be for those homes occupied by older people.
Our manifesto also puts forward the case for enhancing the capacity of local authorities to tackle climate change, including reducing emissions and dealing with the environmental conditions in which pests can thrive. We also want to ensure that the UK's air quality complies with legal standards for fine particles and nitrogen dioxide, to establish clear and enforceable standards for contaminated land, and a proper strategy for dealing with the polluted legacy of the past.
Domestic energy usage is the biggest single source of CO2 emissions. Improving the thermal insulation of substandard dwellings - particularly for the elderly and the vulnerable - would protect the occupants' health, as well as provide safe and decent housing. We believe it would be cost-effective as well. It would serve to reduce the need for people to go into care or hospital, giving a further saving as well as improving their wellbeing.
It's clear that the economy will dominate thinking during and after the election. If the cuts are too great, those whose health and wellbeing is already prejudiced will suffer most. We should look for policies that contribute the most to green economic growth, with a recasting of what we mean by 'growth'. We have to move away from a narrow definition of gross domestic product (GDP) and take account of welfare that reflects health and wellbeing.
All the manifestoes provide something for environmental heath and reflect features of the CIEH manifesto. Many of the proposals are welcome at face value, although the devil will inevitably be in the detail.
Particularly welcome are Labour manifesto commitments to ending fuel poverty, a fair energy system, a Warm Home Standard for social housing, and devolving power to councils to hold energy companies to account for community energy efficiency programmes. But it would have been good to have seen a target for reducing Category 1 excess cold hazards in the private sector.
Labour's proposed register of landlords may have attractions, but local authorities will still have to take effective enforcement action against those who do not register (and the rogues), and should have the power to secure removal from the register.
The Conservative manifesto includes plans for a 10 per cent cut in central government carbon emissions within 12 months, and £6,500 worth of energy improvement measures for every home. The Conservatives also propose that poorer households be protected from excessive rises in water bills.
Some of the environmental health-related aspects of the Liberal Democrat manifesto include a target of 40 per cent of all energy to be 'clean' by 2020, tighter air quality regulation, a 10-year home insulation programme, targets for zero waste, an independent regulator for food markets, and clearer food labelling.
Whatever the outcome of the election, the next government faces a massive challenge to revive the economy and improve the health and welfare of the nation at a time of considerable public spending cutbacks and restraint. The Chartered Institute will do all it can to work with the next government and with MPs to promote policies that bring about a step change in environmental and public health provision.
