Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson has reaffirmed his strong support for protecting the Green Belt and backing measures to abolish Stamp Duty, as the Conservative Party today in Parliament challenged the Labour Government to back its fully costed plan to scrap the tax.
The Conservative Party is calling a vote in Parliament to reduce public expenditure and fund the abolition of Stamp Duty. This move is designed to stimulate the housing market, get young people on the housing ladder, help families move home, and inject an estimated £1.2 billion boost into local businesses.
This policy is in direct contrast to Labour’s current system of taxing, spending and borrowing and is underpinned by the Conservatives’ golden rule of sound economic management.
During today’s debate, Dr Hudson took the opportunity to raise his concerns about Labour’s approach to housing development and the potential threat to the Green Belt, stressing the need to prioritise brownfield regeneration instead.
Speaking in the Chamber, Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson, said:
“I’m very grateful to my Right Honourable friend for giving way, and this Stamp Duty policy will help lubricate the system. But he’s talking about putting the houses in the right place, and can he agree with me that this Government really does need to follow through on that and put the houses in the right place? They’ve got to prioritise brownfield sites, and they’ve got to stop bringing in policies that are going to rip up the Green Belt, which in areas like mine in Epping Forest, represent the heart and lungs of our area.”
Speaking after the debate, Dr Hudson commented:
“I firmly support our fully-costed Conservative policy of abolishing Stamp Duty which will help folk get on the housing ladder, and I recognise how important it is that we get the housing market moving.
“However, when building homes, it is essential that this is done in the right places. The precious Green Belt is vital for our environment, and it is the green heart of our communities, including here in Epping Forest. I will continue to fight against any attempts to erode it, and instead push for sensible, sustainable development on brownfield land.”
Dr Hudson is a long-standing advocate for protecting the Green Belt. You can read more about his work on this issue here:
https://www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/epping-forest-mp-champions-protection-green-belt-and-farmland
https://www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/epping-forest-mp-stands-precious-green-belt
