Environment

Conservative & Labour Liberal Democrats
The Conservative's inaction over EU attempts to reduce pollutants and to their failure to ban the importation of toxic waste left Britain being dubbed the 'Dirty Man of Europe'.

Labour when previously in government expanded nuclear power and cut investment in the water industry. The Labour Cabinet Minister, Chris Smith once admitted that "Labour had neglected the environment".

 Liberal Democrats aim to build a society founded upon a sustainable economy and respect for the environment. We would:
  • Reform the Common Agricultural Policy to end intensive farming methods which destroy habitats.
  • Cut road tax on cars with engines smaller than 1600cc to encourage people to drive more fuel efficient cars.
  • Speed up the coastal clean-up and initiate other environmental projects of national importance, with a levy on water company profits to contribute to the costs of national projects which might other wise fall unfairly on certain regions.
  • Introduce a new Wildlife Act to improve protection of national parks, heritage coasts, sites of special scientific interest and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
  • Transfer resources from road building to public transport, especially rail.
  • Reduce VAT to 5% for maintenance, repairs and spare parts to encourage recycling.
  • Require each government department to publish early targets for environmental sustainability in their policy areas.
  • Create a powerful UK Environment Agency, working closely with the European Environmental Agency.

 

Recycle

Facts & Figures.

  • 30% of the average household dustbin is green waste.
  • An investment of £360,000 in 24,000 new composter bins will create a saving of £120,000 of local taxpayers money.  This would also save over  6000 tonnes of waste a year, around 720 dustcart loads.

Questions & Answers.

Q.
Your plans for a sustainable economy would cost jobs and make Britain uncompetitive?.
A.
Our plans would create jobs, especially in energy efficient industries. There will be an increase in the quality of life and life expectancy brought about by reduced pollution would make the UK a better place to live.

Related topics:

[ Energy ]

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