Reacting to the Chancellor’s Budget statement today [Wednesday 21 March 2012], Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

“This Budget sticks two fingers up at David Cameron’s promise to build a clean future – and gives a massive thumbs down to new jobs and cutting our reliance on expensive gas and oil.

“Safeguarding our environment and growing a strong economy go hand in hand – but the Chancellor has fired the starting pistol for more roads, airports and gas power that will keep the UK hooked on costly fossil fuels for decades to come.

“Business leaders are sick of the Chancellor's Jekyll and Hyde routine on developing a low carbon economy – and other countries are leaving us trailing.

“The few green crumbs of comfort offered by Mr Osborne will be completely swept away by a package of policies that make this a Black Wednesday for the environment.”

Commenting on Government changes to the planning system, Andy Atkins said:

“Trashing planning rules will do nothing to develop a fair and resilient economy – we need the right kind of development in the right place, with investment in clean energy and warm, affordable homes.

"Osborne says new planning rules will protect our most precious environments but unless they address the environmental challenges we all face, Ministers will pave the way for a development free-for-all that will cost us all a fortune in the long run.

“Bringing in the changes will put local plans at risk and allow developers to ride roughshod over local communities.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1.  Friends of the Earth believes the environment is for everyone. We want a healthy planet and a good quality of life for all those who live on it. We inspire people to act together for a thriving environment. More than 90 per cent of our income comes from individuals so we rely on donations to continue our vital work.