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'Green' budget is nothing more than green spin
12 March 2008
The government’s so called ‘green’ budget was greeted with disappointment and disbelief by the World Development Movement today.
Benedict Southworth, director of the World Development Movement said:
“For the government to herald this budget as green is laughable. It’s nothing more than green spin. This budget does not contain the measures needed to meet the government’s own targets on climate change. This is obviously incredibly disappointing from a government which plays heavily on its green credentials.
“The government seems to be intent on tinkering around the edges of green taxes, rather than using them to tackle the problem of climate change head on. A perfect example of this is the acclaimed change from taxing air passengers to taxing the aeroplane. We welcomed this change but the Chancellor has today announced the tax will be increased by only ten per cent starting in three year’s time. This will do nothing to disincentivise flying.
“Hidden away in the budget, the government says it is still ‘committed to enabling the aviation industry to expand’. The Chancellor continues to put the profit of aviation companies ahead of the disastrous impacts climate change will have on the world’s poor.”
ENDS
For more information or interviews, call:
Kate Blagojevic
Press officer, World Development Movement
0207 820 4900/4913, 07711 875 345, Email:
Notes to Editors
- The aviation duty is still under going public consultation, therefore it is surprising the tax rate has already been announced.
- The World Development Movement campaigns to tackle the root causes of poverty. WDM believes that charity is not enough and aims to change the policies that keep the developing world poor. It is a democratic and politically independent organisation with 15,000 supporters and 70 local groups across the UK. For more information, go to www.wdm.org.uk
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