Budget announcement gives red light on green ambition - Mick Bates AM

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Apr 2009

Commenting on the budget announced today by the Chancellor Alistair Darling, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for the Environment and Sustainability, Mick Bates AM, stated:

"With Copenhagen climate change talks on the horizon the budget announcement offered a perfect opportunity for the Government to demonstrate its commitment to tackling climate change and protecting our environment. Instead we have seen a budget which is green around the edges, with a lack of investment, a lack of ambition and support for moves to more oil and gas which will negate any positive impacts that the budget may have.

"Last December the Committee on Climate Change called for the UK to set a target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2020 in order to avoid dangerous climate change. The budget was a golden opportunity for the Government to take a lead in tackling climate change by setting ambitious new carbon budgets but instead the Government has once again put climate change on the back-burner with a target of 34% which is simply not good enough.

"Support for people to buy new cars that are less polluting is a quick fix solution that will not help in the long run. The proposal does not differentiate between more efficient new cars and gas-guzzlers so will provide little incentive for people to buy low carbon vehicles. For rural areas where people struggle to keep their current car running we need more support for community run car clubs. The Government should have opted for more investment in electric cars which can play a part in reducing our emissions from the transport sector as well as support our British car industry.

"I am disappointed that the UK Government has failed to take advantage of European agreements to cut VAT on housing repairs. This policy could provide a solution to our housing backlog, allow for more energy efficient homes and stimulate our construction industry yet the Chancellor has again chosen to take no action.

"I welcome the added investment in green energy and green industries, but this still falls far short of the 20% of stimulus packages that Lord Stern advocates must be spent on green investment. The UK has the resources to become a world leader in renewable energy but we need more support for our green industries if we are to move forwards to a truly low carbon economy."

Notes:

Key points of 2009 Budget - Environment:

• Britain commits to cut carbon emissions by 34% by 2020

• An extra £1bn to help combat climate change by supporting low-carbon industries

• £525m for offshore wind projects over the next two years

• £435m support for energy efficiency schemes for homes, firms and public buildings

• £405m to encourage low-carbon energy and advanced green manufacturing

Ends/Diwedd