Brown's "Green" Taxes: Fiddling While Rome Burns, Say Scottish Greens
Wed., December 06, 2006. 17:36.
More decisive action on climate change emissions is needed
Whilst a number of measures announced today by the Chancellor Gordon Brown in his pre-budget report were welcomed by Greens, Mark Ballard MSP, Green speaker on finance said the statement was "fiddling while Rome burns" and not aimed at delivering significant action on climate change, despite recent warnings that failure to tackle climate change will result in economic catastrophe. (1)
On the report in general, Mr Ballard said,
"Many of the measures outlined by Brown sound good on the ear, but without bolder steps nor mandatory targets to reduce carbon emissions year on year, they will not deliver the results needed. The recent Stern report confirmed that if climate change is not tackled, the economy will suffer catastrophe - Brown needs to heed this advice and get serious on reducing carbon emissions rather than fiddling while Rome burns."
On "green" taxes, Mr Ballard said,
"Green taxes provide no guarantee that climate change gas emissions will fall. Moreover, trying to use taxes to discourage driving or flying, at the same time expanding airports, refusing to tax aviation fuel and building new roads, simply does not add up to a coherent, effective policy. What we need is for all policies to be carbon-proofed, and legislation put in place for year-on-year carbon reductions."
On the increase in air passenger duty, he said,
"On aviation, the Chancellor needs to be realistic. What is really needed is a tax on aviation fuel and a stop to airport expansion - but Labour has not been brave enough to do this. Airlines are making big bucks by dodging tax on fuel - but it's the taxpayer that will have to cough up when climate change kicks in. The ongoing expansion of the industry simply is not sustainable."
On reducing household carbon emissions, Mr Ballard said,
"Encouragement for households to become "zero carbon" is welcome but this isn't going to happen magically. We have too many people living in hard-to-heat homes causing widespread fuel poverty, meanwhile billions are committed to motorways and lost to the aviation industry through public subsidy - so at best it's wishful thinking."
ENDS
Notes
1. Key "green" points of budget - more http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6211176.stm
From next year, most carbon-zero new homes will be exempt from stamp duty.
From February, air passenger duty will rise from £5 to £10 for most flights.
There will be an inflation rise in fuel duty from midnight. The fuel duty escalator will not be restored. The rise will come to 1.25 pence.
Tax discounts for biofuels will be extended.
A further 300,000 households to be offered free insulation and free central heating.
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.