Budget completely neglects the environment - Baker

Commenting on the Chancellor's decision to freeze rates on the aggregates levy and the climate change levy, Norman Baker MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, said:

"Once again, Brown has demonstrated that Labour just doesn't get the environment. This budget picks at the edge, identifying one or two striking issues for the press, but fails to do anything for long-term environmental needs.

"We are still using up our environmental capital faster than ever before. There are no proper incentives to minimise waste or encourage reuse, to rule out new incinerators, or to reduce the relentless growth of traffic. We don't even have a proper energy strategy.

"We need a new approach to taxation, by introducing an environmental incentive mechanism which makes the polluter pay.

"This budget should have been green, not Brown."