Policy Announcements, Wednesday 18 April

Government  

• Immigration Minister Liam Byrne, today unveiled the timetable for introducing the UK's tough new Australian-style points based system for migration, during a fact finding visit to Sydney. According to GNN, the new scheme, which will be phased in from early 2008, will enable the British Government to manage migration to the UK more effectively, tackle abuse and attract the most talented workers into the UK economy.  
• Most first-time buyers purchasing a home with a 'E, F or G' energy rating could benefit from grants to help improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) - A-G energy ratings for homes similar to consumer friendly fridge ratings - will be part of Home Information Packs (HIPs), which will be required for all homes being marketed from 1 June. Subsidies of between £100 to £300 are typically available from energy suppliers to help fund the costs of insulation, and other energy efficiency improvements. In addition some first-time buyers could be eligible for Government grants of up to as much as £2,700. The Government is now thinking of linking grants for energy efficiency measures to new EPCs. In a speech on HIPs, Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said she will be hosting a major meeting of energy suppliers, local authorities, and the Energy Savings Trust (EST), to develop new measures to help home owners implement the recommendations in EPCs.  
• The government has defeated Labour rebels over calls to give more help to people whose occupational pension schemes have collapsed. Ministers saw off an amendment to the Pension Bill, also backed by Tories and Lib Dems, by 22 votes. Ministers said the government should not write a "blank cheque", but Tories argued more help was needed with "heart-breaking" pension cases. About 30 Labour backbenchers had been thought likely to back the amendment.  
• Leaders across central government made a commitment that every eligible employee will be helped to gain basic skills and a level two qualification (broadly equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades A* -C). This commitment covers over 475,000 people working to deliver public services in nineteen departments. Permanent Secretaries from fourteen of the departments joined Sir Gus O'Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service (who made the skills pledge on behalf of the Cabinet Office), at a signing ceremony organised by Government Skills, the sector skills council for central government.  

Conservatives  

• The Conservatives have officially launched their local election campaign with a pledge to prioritise the environment. Tory leader David Cameron was in Dartford on Wednesday where he highlighted his "vote blue, go green" message by helping council workers to clear a site affected by fly tipping and vandalism. Cameron claimed that Conservative councils "have a great record on fighting crime and grime at the local level" as well as being committed to play their part in the fight against global warming by reducing carbon emissions.