Environment Issues in Chancellor's Pre Budget Report
11/12/2003
Secretary of State Margaret Beckett's statement on pre-Budget report 2003
The Pre-Budget Report of 10 December from Chancellor Gordon Brown, confirms the Government's commitment to sustainable development through a strategy which balances economic growth and social progress with action to protect the environment.
Key announcements include:
* plans for changes to the eligibility criteria for climate change agreements that will provide better incentives for businesses to encourage energy efficiency;
* a commitment to a substantial statement in the next Budget on economic incentives in support of domestic energy efficiency in the
light of the recently completed public consultation;
* a sustainable package of measures for recycling landfill tax revenues back to business with consultation on delivery mechanisms to
come;
* a proposed framework for alternative environmentally friendly fuels including a commitment to providing three year certainty on duty differentials for all alternative fuels;
* a commitment to continue to examine ways of further supporting biofuels, including through the three year certainty on duty rates;
* a gradual increase in the duty rate for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to a level which better reflects its relative environmental
benefits;
* a consultation in early 2004 on tackling diffuse water pollution, including a consideration of the pros and cons of economic instruments;
* confirmation that the Aggregates Tax Sustainability Fund will continue for a further three years at least.
Commenting on these measures at the Climate Change Summit in Milan, the Secretary of State for the Environment welcomed the
Chancellor's statement as a positive and valuable contribution to Defra's programme
of sustainable development, working for a better quality of life.
Weblink:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pre_budget_report/prebud_pbr03/prebud_pbr03_index.cfm
