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Budget should have been greener and fairer
22 June 2010
Commenting on today's budget, Friends of the Earth's Economy campaigner Simon Bullock said:
"We need to build a green economy to guarantee a safe and prosperous UK - but the Chancellor has failed to take the bold decisions we so urgently need.
"Increasing VAT is deeply regressive - Robin Hood taxes on banking transactions and increased taxes on aviation pollution would have been a greener and fairer way to cut the deficit.
"Britain has the skills and natural resources to create a booming green technology sector that would drive the country's economic recovery - but proper Government support is needed to make it flourish.
"Business as usual is simply not an option. A strategic shift to a low-carbon economy must be at the centre of all the Government's big decisions - starting now."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. You can see Friends of the Earth's pre Budget briefing in detail here:
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/budget_june_2010.pdf
2. Our campaigners are available for interview and further briefings. Please contact the press office on 0207 566 1610.
3. The UK has some of the best wind and wave potential in the whole of Europe, but only employs 20,000 people to harness it - 13 times less than Germany. Fitting green energy to buildings and insulating homes and businesses would create at least 70,000 green jobs across England and Wales. And the Government estimates there could be 400,000 new jobs in the UK environmental sector by 2015 - in low-carbon vehicle production, recycling, green buildings and renewable energy.
4. Friends of the Earth is one of 110 organisations supporting a Robin Hood Tax on financial currency transactions. Half the sum raised would be used to combat the domestic deficit, and the rest to help developing countries fight climate change and alleviate poverty. http://robinhoodtax.org.uk
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2010
