27 August 2008
News from the Green Party | Embargoed for 00.01 28 August 2008
GOVERNMENT FAILURES TO BLAME FOR POOR IMAGE OF POLLUTION TAXES
The Green Party has dismissed claims by the Taxpayers' Alliance that the UK is paying too much in resource and pollution taxes, and has slammed the government for failing to use tax revenue strategically to save people money on fuel and bills.
Green Party Principal Speaker, Caroline Lucas MEP, said:
"Tax should be about trying to change behaviour and not just about abstract revenue raising. And taxes on activities that use fuel and resources are only effective if the government provides other options for people to switch to: for every fuel tax there should be real provision of public transport; and for every levy on household bills, insulation and other energy-saving measures should be provided.
"It's the government's fault that people have lost faith in green taxes. Their money goes into a black hole and they don't see the benefits. Greens would bring in measures like making free insulation available to everyone, which would dramatically reduce fuel bills for families, and reduce the amount they pay in green taxes as well.
"It is also worth noting that the oil and energy companies are more than able to cut fuel costs for motorists and energy rates for households, but choose not to because high prices not only support their huge profits, but also encourage pressure groups to call for tax cuts, as we have seen today.
"While public transport, hospitals and schools cry out for investment, and with families paying more and more for the basics, oil and energy firms are posting record profits. If there is any spare cash in the fuel economy, its there. A windfall tax is urgently needed in order to invest in ways of cutting emissions and saving energy in the future.
"It is also important for social cohesion to avoid inequality between rich and poor this is also a cornerstone of the Green agenda. The impact of any green taxes on the poorest must be assessed, and the benefits from green taxes should go the poorest first."
ENDS
Green Party Press Office
1a Waterlow Road
London N19 5NJ
0207 561 0282
sian.berry@greenparty.org.uk
www.greenparty.org.uk
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