UK CABINET MINISTERS AT WAR OVER GREEN MEASURES.

UK CABINET MINISTERS AT WAR OVER GREEN MEASURES.

MP WARNS LOW CARBON ECONOMY AT RISK FROM LABOUR INFIGHTING

As a survey by HSBC puts the UK near the bottom of an international league in the amount it has devoted to green measures in its economic rescue package, it has emerged today in the Independent on Sunday newspaper that Chancellor Alistair Darling is frustrating attempts by other UK Government departments to implement measures to combat climate change and boost green business. Whitehall insiders have concerns that this opposition could endanger an accord with other G20 countries when they meet next month.

Ed Miliband and Peter Mandelson have reportedly been pushing for a multi-billion pound package for several months against Treasury opposition. Alistair Darling, who downplayed environmental measures in November’s pre-Budget report, has continued to block them as too costly.

SNP BERR spokesperson, Mike Weir MP, who is also a Member of the Westminster Energy and Climate Change Committee said:

“These reports leave the UK Government’s green credibility in tatters. Despite their rallying cry of Real Help Now, once again the UK Government is failing to deliver any help at all.

“It is estimated there could be 160,000 renewable energy jobs in the UK over the next decade. It appears that Labour dithering and infighting is endangering this vital job creation.

“We absolutely cannot have a repeat of the Peterhead carbon capture which saw Scotland’s world lead in carbon capture technology lost to Abu Dhabi amid procrastination and buck passing between Gordon Brown, Alistair Darling and BERR.

“The UK Government needs to look to Scotland where the SNP Scottish Government has made the environment a central part of their economic recovery programme with decisive action across energy generation, energy efficiency and transport all aimed at creating new jobs, tackling climate change and ensuring long term sustainability.”