Renewable energy strategy needs assistance not coercion

25th Jun 2008

Brown needs to take direct action on energy saving initiatives, where the Government will carry that financial burden and give people the assistance they need

Green Party Principal Speaker Derek Wall today criticised the Government ahead of the release of its renewable energy strategy, calling on Gordon Brown to introduce urgent measures that will help people to go green rather than using coercion and unfair green taxes as punishment.

Proposals included in the strategy, recently leaked to the Guardian (1), include giving the Government new powers to force people to improve energy efficiency in their homes. This follows the Government's supposed green taxes on motorists that means rising fuel duties as well as a higher annual road tax charge instead of offering an alternative system that would allow motorists to save money and reduce carbon emission at the same time (2).

Dr. Wall said

"Green taxes and Government environmental initiatives are meant to cut people's emissions while saving them money. Gordon Brown has missed the point, trying to force people to change their behavior by introducing unfair and costly taxes.

"These new-ish policies in the strategy seem to continue his mistake. Brown will force, but not help, people to replace costly inefficient household appliances. He'll force, not help, people to insulate their homes. He is in danger of loading onto the individual an unfair burden that will make environmental initiatives deeply unpopular and cost the householder hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds.

"Brown needs to take direct action on energy saving initiatives, where the Government will carry that financial burden and give people the assistance they need. Householders will then feel and see the benefits of home insulation and more efficient appliances through lower heating bills, warmer houses, and less exposure to damp and other health risks,

"Gordon Brown thinks that going green means battering hard pressed voters with more taxes. By contrast, the Green Party believes that we should help in practical ways to cut energy bills.

"We believe in free insulation for all who need it. In Kirklees, for example, we are insulating 30,000 homes, totally free, paid for mostly from energy comanies' profits. We're halving energy bills, cutting carbon emissions, and creating local, sustainable jobs. Green councillors around the country are pushing the reluctant old parties to follow our example. But of course Gordon Brown would rather you did all the work (3)."

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. www.guardian.co.uk

2. www.greenparty.org.uk

3. www.greenparty.org.uk