Richard Hebditch
@richard.hebditch.org
I'm a board member of London TravelWatch & coordinator of the Better Planning Coalition. Previously: charities streets transport heritage environment philanthropy
Planning and Infrastructure Bill has just had its third reading in the Lords - now on to ping-pong with the Commons over the changes that peers made to it.
Minister keen to say that the latest compromise amendment won't affect the speed for developers in using new environmental delivery plans
Minister keen to say that the latest compromise amendment won't affect the speed for developers in using new environmental delivery plans
November 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Planning and Infrastructure Bill has just had its third reading in the Lords - now on to ping-pong with the Commons over the changes that peers made to it.
Minister keen to say that the latest compromise amendment won't affect the speed for developers in using new environmental delivery plans
Minister keen to say that the latest compromise amendment won't affect the speed for developers in using new environmental delivery plans
Just under six months to go until London borough elections. In the last 12 years, my borough (Lewisham) has only elected one non-Labour cllr (for just one term of the three).
Looking at YouGov polling (admittedly general election voting intention), could be in for a big change in May 2026.
Looking at YouGov polling (admittedly general election voting intention), could be in for a big change in May 2026.
November 10, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Just under six months to go until London borough elections. In the last 12 years, my borough (Lewisham) has only elected one non-Labour cllr (for just one term of the three).
Looking at YouGov polling (admittedly general election voting intention), could be in for a big change in May 2026.
Looking at YouGov polling (admittedly general election voting intention), could be in for a big change in May 2026.
Very sad to hear that Quentin Wilson has died. Great advocate for electric vehicles - always full of ideas to boost the transition to EVs and overcome those spreading misinformation or failing to get behind policies to drive forward their uptake.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Quentin Willson: Former Top Gear and Fifth Gear presenter dies aged 68
The presenter and campaigner was described by his family as a
www.bbc.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Very sad to hear that Quentin Wilson has died. Great advocate for electric vehicles - always full of ideas to boost the transition to EVs and overcome those spreading misinformation or failing to get behind policies to drive forward their uptake.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Road pricing for EVs - EVA England is not happy (see below).
I wonder how committed Government is on this - it's been trailed as it's been included in the long list of Budget policies given to the OBR this week for them to assess. (1/)
www.evaengland.org.uk/2025/11/06/l...
I wonder how committed Government is on this - it's been trailed as it's been included in the long list of Budget policies given to the OBR this week for them to assess. (1/)
www.evaengland.org.uk/2025/11/06/l...
Letter to the Chancellor - Supporting the driver in making the switch to electric vehicles | EVA England
EVA England’s letter to the Chancellor calls for continued government support to help drivers switch to EVs, highlighting key challenges around public charging costs, affordability and access, and urg...
www.evaengland.org.uk
November 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Road pricing for EVs - EVA England is not happy (see below).
I wonder how committed Government is on this - it's been trailed as it's been included in the long list of Budget policies given to the OBR this week for them to assess. (1/)
www.evaengland.org.uk/2025/11/06/l...
I wonder how committed Government is on this - it's been trailed as it's been included in the long list of Budget policies given to the OBR this week for them to assess. (1/)
www.evaengland.org.uk/2025/11/06/l...
Planning & Infrastructure Bill has its last Lords day on Monday with Third Reading (but will do more with ping-pong with the Commons later). Just two amendments - one tidying one and this one, to avoid a defeat on an amendment tabled by Baroness Parminter. Govt has moved a lot to reassure critics.
November 7, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Planning & Infrastructure Bill has its last Lords day on Monday with Third Reading (but will do more with ping-pong with the Commons later). Just two amendments - one tidying one and this one, to avoid a defeat on an amendment tabled by Baroness Parminter. Govt has moved a lot to reassure critics.
As you would completely expect, people support a tax when someone else is paying it. So where EV ownership is lowest (Wales), least opposition to EV road pricing. Where highest (London), opposition is strongest.
November 6, 2025 at 4:18 PM
As you would completely expect, people support a tax when someone else is paying it. So where EV ownership is lowest (Wales), least opposition to EV road pricing. Where highest (London), opposition is strongest.
Reposted by Richard Hebditch
..from community energy to housing projects, green spaces and local initiatives that bring people together. With the right support, these efforts can strengthen our health, wellbeing and democracy. Sign up to show your support! charterfordemocracy.org/about
About the Charter for Communities
Sign up to show your support for the right to have a voice in local planning decisions. Planning shapes where we live, impacts on our wellbeing and can help us tackle climate change. The Government…
charterfordemocracy.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
..from community energy to housing projects, green spaces and local initiatives that bring people together. With the right support, these efforts can strengthen our health, wellbeing and democracy. Sign up to show your support! charterfordemocracy.org/about
Reposted by Richard Hebditch
Communities are facing big challenges; the climate crisis, poor housing, disconnection and division. Too often, decisions are made far away in Whitehall, leaving local voices unheard. Our Community Charter recognises that you are already creating solutions..
November 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Communities are facing big challenges; the climate crisis, poor housing, disconnection and division. Too often, decisions are made far away in Whitehall, leaving local voices unheard. Our Community Charter recognises that you are already creating solutions..
Also clear that road pricing will be overwhelmingly a revenue focused policy - any transport objectives are very much subsidiary to making money.
UK governments always claim that there is absolutely no-one doing any work on road pricing - but it does sound like their plans for EV road pricing are surprisingly well advanced...
www.ft.com/content/9f90...
www.ft.com/content/9f90...
Reeves poised to unveil Budget plan for EV drivers to pay per mile charges
Chancellor looks to offset a forecast sharp drop in government revenue from fuel duty
www.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Also clear that road pricing will be overwhelmingly a revenue focused policy - any transport objectives are very much subsidiary to making money.
UK governments always claim that there is absolutely no-one doing any work on road pricing - but it does sound like their plans for EV road pricing are surprisingly well advanced...
www.ft.com/content/9f90...
www.ft.com/content/9f90...
Reeves poised to unveil Budget plan for EV drivers to pay per mile charges
Chancellor looks to offset a forecast sharp drop in government revenue from fuel duty
www.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:22 AM
UK governments always claim that there is absolutely no-one doing any work on road pricing - but it does sound like their plans for EV road pricing are surprisingly well advanced...
www.ft.com/content/9f90...
www.ft.com/content/9f90...
Reposted by Richard Hebditch
📗 New report by @britishecologicalsociety.org & @nationaltrust.org.uk
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
📗 New report by @britishecologicalsociety.org & @nationaltrust.org.uk
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
Time to rethink nature conservation? Ecologists call for an ecosystem approach to halt UK wildlife decline and protect the vital services nature provides us💚
👉 Read here: www.britishecologicalsociety.org/time-to-reth...
Latest car sales figures from @newautomotive.org show EVs continuing to become mainstream.
And it's the "legacy" car makers that are seeing growth in EV sales. BYD making in-roads but despite EU having anti-China EV tariffs and UK not, Chinese car makers are not (yet) sweeping all before them.
And it's the "legacy" car makers that are seeing growth in EV sales. BYD making in-roads but despite EU having anti-China EV tariffs and UK not, Chinese car makers are not (yet) sweeping all before them.
November 5, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Latest car sales figures from @newautomotive.org show EVs continuing to become mainstream.
And it's the "legacy" car makers that are seeing growth in EV sales. BYD making in-roads but despite EU having anti-China EV tariffs and UK not, Chinese car makers are not (yet) sweeping all before them.
And it's the "legacy" car makers that are seeing growth in EV sales. BYD making in-roads but despite EU having anti-China EV tariffs and UK not, Chinese car makers are not (yet) sweeping all before them.
New Oxford-Cambridge national forest announced with forest towns kind of the C21 version of C20 garden cities
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Nation to benefit from two new national forests backed by £1 billion investment in tree planting
Millions of trees to help get Britain growing through billion-pound investment in green jobs and nature restoration, creating thousands of jobs
www.gov.uk
November 5, 2025 at 8:22 AM
New Oxford-Cambridge national forest announced with forest towns kind of the C21 version of C20 garden cities
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Richard Hebditch
Railways Bill looks like it's going to be pretty positive. From a London perspective, hopefully it will recognise value of TfL run services (eg not just prioritising GBR services over TfL where they share same track & being open to further devolution to TfL)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Journey to Great British Railways gathers steam with landmark legislation
Bill includes fare and ticketing reform and a strengthened passenger watchdog to create a better, more inclusive railway for all.
www.gov.uk
November 4, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Railways Bill looks like it's going to be pretty positive. From a London perspective, hopefully it will recognise value of TfL run services (eg not just prioritising GBR services over TfL where they share same track & being open to further devolution to TfL)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Railways Bill looks like it's going to be pretty positive. From a London perspective, hopefully it will recognise value of TfL run services (eg not just prioritising GBR services over TfL where they share same track & being open to further devolution to TfL)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Journey to Great British Railways gathers steam with landmark legislation
Bill includes fare and ticketing reform and a strengthened passenger watchdog to create a better, more inclusive railway for all.
www.gov.uk
November 4, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Railways Bill looks like it's going to be pretty positive. From a London perspective, hopefully it will recognise value of TfL run services (eg not just prioritising GBR services over TfL where they share same track & being open to further devolution to TfL)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Richard Hebditch
“We’ve had ample previous experience showing how kneejerk cuts to investment in warmer homes result in customers paying billions of pounds more on their energy bills, while damaging supply chains & businesses with knock on impacts to investment & job losses" - @dharavyas.bsky.social. Precisely.
Chancellor considers cut to green levies in effort to reduce cost of energy bills
Chancellor considers cut to green levies in effort to reduce cost of energy bills
Exclusive: Rachel Reeves hopes to save up to £170 from average bill, though insiders warn move will be ‘disastrous’
Rachel Reeves is considering slashing funding for more energy efficient homes to pay for a reduction in energy bills, sources have told the Guardian, as the chancellor looks for ways to ease the cost of living in this month’s budget.
Reeves is finalising a multi-billion pound energy support package that is likely to cut taxes and green levies from people’s bills as she looks to save as much as £170 from the average bill. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:15 PM
“We’ve had ample previous experience showing how kneejerk cuts to investment in warmer homes result in customers paying billions of pounds more on their energy bills, while damaging supply chains & businesses with knock on impacts to investment & job losses" - @dharavyas.bsky.social. Precisely.
Zack Polanski at Green Alliance conference today. I think this is the first ever environment sector event I've been to where a Green party politician has given a keynote speech. Very good speech and very well delivered too.
November 4, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Zack Polanski at Green Alliance conference today. I think this is the first ever environment sector event I've been to where a Green party politician has given a keynote speech. Very good speech and very well delivered too.
No government defeats in the Lords last night in the final night of report stage for the Planning & Infrastructure Bill. Even swift bricks didn't manage to get over the line (vote below).
Next is Lords Third Reading on 10 November
Next is Lords Third Reading on 10 November
November 4, 2025 at 1:35 PM
No government defeats in the Lords last night in the final night of report stage for the Planning & Infrastructure Bill. Even swift bricks didn't manage to get over the line (vote below).
Next is Lords Third Reading on 10 November
Next is Lords Third Reading on 10 November
In percentage terms, this is a slow down rather than a surge. In July 2024, the annual growth rate in charge points was 47%.
In the latest monthly figures, annual growth rate is down to 23%.
In the latest monthly figures, annual growth rate is down to 23%.
UK public EV chargers rise 23% in a year to 86,021, with rapid points for fast charging. Government grants and new installations make EVs more accessible, supporting longer journeys and growth in areas beyond London.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Public electric vehicle chargepoints surge 23% in just one year
There are now over 86,000 chargers on Britain’s roads, making it easier than ever for drivers to charge up and go.
www.gov.uk
October 30, 2025 at 5:15 PM
In percentage terms, this is a slow down rather than a surge. In July 2024, the annual growth rate in charge points was 47%.
In the latest monthly figures, annual growth rate is down to 23%.
In the latest monthly figures, annual growth rate is down to 23%.
The latest Index of Deprivation out today. Three of the four least deprived wards in England are in Harpenden, Herts, the town where I went to school. About the most Conservative-voting place you could imagine back then but now is Lib Dem voting in a sign of the changing political demographics.
October 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM
The latest Index of Deprivation out today. Three of the four least deprived wards in England are in Harpenden, Herts, the town where I went to school. About the most Conservative-voting place you could imagine back then but now is Lib Dem voting in a sign of the changing political demographics.
Reposted by Richard Hebditch
This is the most important amendment to the planning bill! The Gov have agreed to work with Kate Parminter to bring forward her amendment to apply the Mitigation Hierarchy to EDPs. A huge win for the environment & a greener future. Her expert knowledge & diplomacy delivering real nature protection 💚
October 30, 2025 at 8:59 AM
This is the most important amendment to the planning bill! The Gov have agreed to work with Kate Parminter to bring forward her amendment to apply the Mitigation Hierarchy to EDPs. A huge win for the environment & a greener future. Her expert knowledge & diplomacy delivering real nature protection 💚
"Do what we want or we'll tell on you to the OBR" is a new one for lobbying.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Government set to miss 1.5m target, housebuilders warn
Housebuilders tell the government's budget watchdog the new homes target for England is too optimistic.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 7:53 AM
"Do what we want or we'll tell on you to the OBR" is a new one for lobbying.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Big defeat in the Lords on the Government's Planning & Infrastructure Bill - restricting the proposed new Environmental Delivery Plans to just four issues. 260 - 141.
Amendment here: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3946/s...
Amendment here: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3946/s...
October 29, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Big defeat in the Lords on the Government's Planning & Infrastructure Bill - restricting the proposed new Environmental Delivery Plans to just four issues. 260 - 141.
Amendment here: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3946/s...
Amendment here: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3946/s...
Not the most ambitious of approaches on rail and decarbonisation in the carbon budget delivery plan (columns show savings in carbon budgets to mid-2030s)
October 29, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Not the most ambitious of approaches on rail and decarbonisation in the carbon budget delivery plan (columns show savings in carbon budgets to mid-2030s)
This afternoon's quandary - read the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan or listen to peers debating the Planning and Infrastructure Bill www.gov.uk/government/p...
or
www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
or
www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Carbon budget and growth delivery plan
The Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan sets out how the government meets its statutory carbon budgets and secure the benefits of this transition for people and businesses.
www.gov.uk
October 29, 2025 at 3:25 PM
This afternoon's quandary - read the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan or listen to peers debating the Planning and Infrastructure Bill www.gov.uk/government/p...
or
www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
or
www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...