Tories to Unveil Sweeping Deregulation Blueprint, Vowing Tax Cuts and Cheaper Housing

Conservative shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith is set to present an ambitious economic agenda at the party's Birmingham conference on Monday, pledging tax reductions, lighter regulation, and lower housebuilding costs as the opposition seeks to rebuild its credibility after a devastating 2024 election defeat.

Griffith's address, scheduled for the second day of the gathering, will frame his proposals as nothing less than the most far-reaching deregulatory effort Britain has seen in a generation — a claim designed to signal that the Conservatives intend to reposition themselves as the party of enterprise and growth.

At the heart of the plan is a commitment to reduce the burden on businesses and consumers alike. Griffith will argue that taxpayers deserve relief, that planning red tape should be stripped away to accelerate construction, and that the cost of everyday essentials — including groceries — can be brought down through targeted reforms.

He is expected to tell delegates: "No-one else is coming to save our economy. Only we can inject reality, tell the hard truths and make this a country we are proud to hand on to the next generation." The line underscores a central theme of the conference: that the Conservatives alone possess the resolve to confront difficult economic choices.

In a pointed attack on Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Griffith will accuse the government of chasing what he describes as a socialist fever dream reminiscent of the 1970s — a period associated with industrial strife, high inflation, and economic stagnation. By contrast, he will say, the Conservatives are focused on delivering cheaper homes, lower taxes, and less red tape.

The speech follows the publication of a 100-page document by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, which laid out her guiding principles and sketched how the party would govern if it returned to power at the next general election. Griffith's remarks are intended to translate that philosophical framework into concrete policy proposals.

Among the most eye-catching measures is a plan to abolish both Natural England and the Environment Agency, with their functions transferred to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Conservatives have repeatedly criticised the two bodies — Natural England over its role in blocking or slowing housebuilding, and the Environment Agency over its handling of flood prevention work.

The party also intends to scrap environmental and energy efficiency regulations, including the future homes standard, which sets requirements for new-build properties. Tory analysis suggests these changes could reduce the cost of delivering a new home by as much as £50,000 — savings they expect would be passed on to buyers.

Another significant proposal involves replacing the existing system of developer contributions. Section 106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy, which currently oblige builders to fund local projects and services when plans are approved, would be replaced by a single levy. The Conservatives argue this streamlined charge would eliminate delays and ensure money is spent more effectively for the benefit of residents.

On infrastructure, Griffith will reaffirm support for expanding Heathrow Airport, promising that the next Conservative government would do whatever it takes to end delays and boost capacity by backing a third runway. The expansion was originally abandoned by the Tory-led coalition in 2010, and the project has remained politically contentious ever since.

Former chancellor Rachel Reeves had championed the runway as an economic stimulus after Labour took office, though Burnham has declined to endorse it since becoming prime minister, describing the matter as principally one for London and Londoners.

The Conservatives also plan to scrap the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, which requires companies to cover the cost of collecting, recycling, and disposing of the packaging they produce. The party believes this would lift a financial burden from businesses and, in turn, could help reduce the price of the weekly shop.

The proposals drew swift criticism from political rivals. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said the Conservatives had cemented their position as a pointless anti-growth, anti-business party by rejecting closer ties with Europe, adding that no one could take their economic promises seriously given what she called a litany of fantasy-land financial pledges.

Reform UK economy spokesman Robert Jenrick accused the Conservatives of once again copying his party's policies, and claimed the Tories were unable to match Reform's pledge to raise the tax-free personal allowance to £15,000.

Shadow ministers are expected to elaborate on the proposals throughout Monday, using a series of speeches to flesh out the details and make the broader case for their approach. The conference comes as the Conservatives continue their long recovery from the 2024 general election defeat, which ended nearly fourteen years in government and left the party searching for a renewed identity.

The Tories have faced persistent attacks over their economic record between 2010 and 2024, and Griffith's deregulation agenda represents an attempt to move the conversation forward while reconnecting with voters who abandoned them. Chancellor John Healey, meanwhile, said last week that government promises would be built on the rock of fiscal discipline, with the Budget on 28 October intended to give families and businesses a bit of breathing space.

Whether Griffith's proposals can convince a sceptical electorate remains uncertain, but the conference will serve as an early test of whether the Conservatives' pitch — lower taxes, fewer regulations, and faster housebuilding — can gain traction beyond the party faithful.