Chris Huhne

BROWN MUST MAKE GREEN TAX SWITCH – HUHNE

Commenting on new figures showing a fall in green taxation and on reports that Gordon Brown is considering raising car tax and air passenger duty, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

“These reports would ring rather less hollow if Gordon Brown didn’t have such an embarrassing record on environmental taxation.

“Green taxes have fallen to their lowest level since Mrs Thatcher was Prime Minister and the Government is cutting climate change related budgets, including flood defences and research.

“The Government must make a genuine switch to tax pollution, not people. However, these reports do not inspire confidence. Increasing air passenger duty, rather then switching to an emissions charge on aircraft, would merely penalise efficient full aircraft.

“The Liberal Democrats are the only party with clear plans for fairer and greener but not higher taxes to change our behaviour and safeguard the planet for our children. We should tax pollution not people.