Environmental legislation budget changes 'not good enough'

The government's spending review will not have a significant positive impact on environmental legislation in the UK, an expert has said.

Chairman of the Cumbria Green Business Forum John Barwise has said that the environment sector will not benefit from the recent budget changes.

This is despite the government pledging £1 billion on carbon capture and storage demonstration projects, in an attempt to make the UK the "leader of the new green economy".

Chancellor George Osborne also confirmed £200 million will be invested in developing off-shore wind technology to encourage the use of renewable sources.

Mr Barwise stated that while the investment is a "good thing", the government should focus on developing a UK market for manufacturing green infrastructure instead of having to buy equipment from other countries.

He also noted that while £200 million for windfarms is a positive move, this will have little impact on the multi-billion pound industry.

"It won't develop the market or the infrastructure to sustain the market with a manufacturing base, which we desperately need in the UK," the expert commented.

Posted by Claire Manning