Zack Polanski says Greens would ditch GDP targets and focus on wellbeing instead

Leader uses first major economic speech to prioritise public services and reduction of inequality over growth

UK politics live – latest updates

A government led by the Green party would not set targets for GDP growth but would instead focus on people’s mental health, social cohesion and community welfare, Zack Polanski has said in a major speech to set out his plans for the economy.

In his first policy address since taking over as leader of the Greens in England and Wales six months ago, Polanski condemned what he called “rip-off Britain”, where a minority of asset owners benefited at the expense of people obliged to pay unaffordable sums for housing and other basics.