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Darling must use Budget to boost jobs and cut bills
22 March 2010
The Chancellor must create a stronger, safer economy by laying the foundations for a green future in next week's Budget, says Friends of the Earth.
The environmental campaigning charity is urging Alistair Darling to announce a range of measures to make it cheaper and easier for people to save energy, boost green jobs and industries, increase energy security and help slash climate- changing emissions. These include:
* Setting up a Green Bank to provide direct investment and loans for energy saving schemes and renewable energy projects such as offshore wind developments.
* Expanding interest-free loans for hospitals, schools and businesses to invest in energy-saving projects. This will save money and cut carbon - and the Treasury gets its money back.
* Introduce the first Robin Hood Tax - on the trade in Sterling by financial institutions. This would raise £3 billion a year to spend on tackling climate change and poverty.
* Helping householders to slash fuel bills and save energy by cutting VAT on energy efficiency measures and Stamp Duty rebates for new householders who make significant green improvements shortly after buying their new home.
Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:
"The development of a greener economy will create stronger, cleaner and safer future for us all - Alistair Darling must lay the foundations for this in the Budget.
"By investing in clean technology and slashing energy waste the Chancellor can create thousands of new green jobs and business opportunities, reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and make the UK a world leader in tackling climate change."
ENDS
1. A Green Budget 2010 briefing is available at http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/budget_20102.pdf
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Mar 2010
