Budget environmental measures are half hearted - Bates

Release/Rhyddhau: 22/03/06

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

Mick Bates, environment spokesperson for the Welsh Lib Dems has slammed the Chancellor of the Exchequer's latest attempts to combat climate change.

In today's budget the Chancellor announced that he is to raise taxes for gas-guzzling vehicles, with the worst offenders attracting a Vehicle Excise Duty of £210 and a zero rate for a small number of cars with the lowest carbon emissions.

Commenting, Mick said: "This is a half hearted attempt to turn around the Government's lack of commitment on the environment.

"The restructuring of vehicle excise duty is welcome but will not go far enough, and VED will raise less revenue than before. The cost for gas guzzlers will be less than one full tank of petrol and brings with it no protection for the small number in rural areas who have a genuine need for four wheel drive vehicles.

"The increase in the climate change levy is only in line with inflation - good but the first time it's been increased since 2000."