Budget 2010: 'Greenest government ever' must not forget the environment

In response to the Budget delivered today by George Osborne, Ben Stafford, Head of Campaigns at CPRE, says:

"In a Budget that focused on significant cuts to spending and changes to taxation, the Chancellor had relatively little to say on the environment. We hope this does not indicate a retreat by Ministers from their desire to be 'the greenest Government ever' or the advocacy of environmental issues by both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats when they were in Opposition.

"What we do know from Mr Osborne's statement is that there will be 25 per cent cuts over the Parliament to non-ring-fenced Government Departments, and this will include the Environment, Climate Change and Communities Departments.

"We will therefore be looking to Ministers to demonstrate quickly through their proposed planning reforms and Natural Environment White Paper how they will deliver real improvements for our countryside, wildlife and landscapes in a time of serious financial pressure. Better protection for the environment should be a high-profile, long-term investment."

- end -

Fiona Cowan
22 June 2010