Budget 2013 - few green shoots for the green economy21 March 2013
There wasn't much green in the Chancellor's red box.
The Budget was littered with missed opportunities to grow the UK's quietly successful green economy.
George Osborne could have led the way for green industry to flourish in the UK. Instead the Budget keeps us hooked on expensive fossil fuels.
This is yet another fossil-fuelled Budget that will leave the UK struggling in the wake of forward-thinking nations that are already investing in the clean industrial revolution.
Andrew Pendleton, Head of Campaigns, Friends of the Earth
Shale gas
The extraction of shale gas by fracking poses a serious risk to both the environment and human health.
Despite these risks, Osborne has confirmed tax breaks for the extraction of shale gas in the UK.
Shale gas is not the solution to rising energy bills - it's dirty, unnecessary and its extraction will have an earth-shattering impact on local communities across the UK.
Tony Bosworth, Energy Campaigner, Friends of the Earth
Fuel duty
The Budget also scrapped the planned 3p fuel duty rise for Autumn 2013. But petrol prices are soaring because of the oil price, not fuel duty, and the bigger picture is the Chancellor still isn't doing much to wean our transport off oil.
Friends of the Earth is urging the Chancellor to position the UK at the forefront of the global low-carbon economy by:
- Developing clean British energy
- Insulating homes
- Ending tax breaks for fossil fuels
- Putting a moratorium on fracking shale gas
- Repairing existing roads instead of developing new ones.
For our full reaction to the Budget see our press release. For more information see our briefing.
