Budget fails to tackle oil dependency23 March 2011
Government cuts fuel duty and deprives Green Investment Bank of funds.
The 2011 Budget, announced today, won't wean the UK off fossil fuels or do enough to develop green industry - it will increase our oil addiction.
Short-term measures to tackle spiralling fuel prices are a sticking-plaster solution.
The Chancellor George Osborne found £10 bn to spend on cutting fuel duty; but not a penny for public transport, cycling and walking.
It's our long-term dependency on fossil fuels that needs urgent treatment.
- Green Investment Bank
Won't borrow until 2015/16, so won't be able to attract enough green private investment. - Price of carbon
Set too low - providing a windfall to the nuclear industry for existing power stations. - Fuel duty
Cut by 1p per litre to please motorists - but it does nothing to persuade people onto greener transport. - Air Passenger Duty
Delayed - and the Coalition has gone back on its pledge to increase a per-plane tax to help ensure planes fly full.
The Government talks about ending our fossil-fuel dependency but, like a 40 year-old smoker pledging to give up in 10 years' time, the Chancellor is taking a reckless gamble
Andy Atkins, Friends of the Earth Director
The Government must take urgent action to reduce our reliance on oil, gas and coal, protect us from fuel price hikes, and create green jobs.
We need public funding to develop clean energy and cut energy waste, and to make greener cars, public transport, walking and cycling more popular.
Please sign our petition for greener energy and ask your MP to get the Government to listen to expert advice on cutting emissions faster.
