Shadow chancellor to address Tory conference as he claims slashing red tape could cut cost of new houses by £50,000 – UK politics live

Andrew Griffith, the shadow chancellor, is set to address the Conservative Party conference, where he will outline plans to significantly reduce regulations in the housing sector. The Conservatives are pledging to eliminate the Environment Agency and Natural England, as part of a broader strategy to streamline regulations that currently govern housing development. This initiative aims to cut the cost of new houses by up to £50,000 by removing requirements for affordable housing and community funding, which include provisions for GP surgeries and other essential services. Griffith's speech will emphasize the party's commitment to refocusing on growth by abolishing regulations that protect nature and mandate the inclusion of affordable homes in new developments. The proposed changes are part of a "bonfire of regulations" intended to accelerate infrastructure and housebuilding efforts across the UK. This move has been met with criticism from Reform UK, which accuses the Conservative Party of adopting policies they had previously announced. In a related political development, Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party, has been banned from entering Israel. This ban follows a vote at the Green Party conference in favor of a motion stating that "Zionism is racism," which Israel's foreign affairs ministry described as antisemitic and a denial of the Jewish people's right to self-determination. Consequently, Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, has taken action to bar Polanski from the country.