Archived press release

Concern over green quango cuts

14 October 2010

Commenting on the cuts to Government public sector green quangos announced today, Friends of the Earth's Director of policy and campaigns Craig Bennett said:

"The essential work many green quangos do protecting our environment is good value for money.

"Cuts to the Environment Agency and Natural England are worrying because they safeguard the resources we depend on to grow food and enjoy Britain's rich wildlife.

"It's great that the Carbon Trust and Energy Saving Trust's vital roles have been acknowledged, but closing Consumer Focus undermines the coalition's claim to be cutting fairly - this body provides an essential service protecting people from high energy bills."

Agriculture

Friends of the Earth food campaigner Nic Beuret said:

"A fair deal for farmers is left hanging with the merger of the Office for Fair Trading and the Competition Commission. 

"We need urgent legislation granting the proposed Grocery Code Adjudicator powers to fully enforce its code of conduct - and end supermarkets' bullying behaviour that is hurting British and overseas farmers.

"This Government's commitment to sustainable farming is called into question with the weakening and merger of both the Environment Agency and Natural England, as well as the downgrading of other important bodies to 'expert panels'.

"The Government must take a strong lead on developing a more sustainable and fair rural economy, not a weakened and fragmented one."

Transport

Friends of the Earth's transport campaigner Richard Dyer said:

"The Transport Secretary has said cutting carbon from transport is a high priority and a shift in behaviour is needed to achieve this. He must make sure alternatives to the quangos, and the recently announced 'Local Sustainable Travel Fund', will do the job."

"In the short term this means cutting car trips. More than half of all car journeys are less than five miles - many of these journeys could easily be shifted to walking, cycling and buses with 'smarter travel choices' schemes.

"The new fund must be big enough to provide sufficient funding for local councils in England to roll out these schemes as soon as possible."

It was announced today that six transport quangos, including Cycling England and the Commission for Integrated Transport are to be abolished.

Energy efficiency

Friends of the Earth's energy campaigner Dave Timms said:

"Consumer Focus does important work protecting the interests of people living in fuel poverty and scrutinising the activity of energy companies - saving households millions on fuel bills.

"Dramatically improving the energy efficiency of our cold and draughty houses is the only long-term solution to fuel poverty - too much money is being wasted heating the planet instead of our homes."

ENDS

To view PDF files you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Visually impaired users can get extra help with these documents from access.adobe.com.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust