GREEN TAXES CRUCIAL TO CUTTING EMISSIONS - HUHNE

2.38.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 14th Nov 2006

Only the Liberal Democrats are showing how to tax polluntion not people.

Responding to the announcement of a climate change bill in the Queen's Speech, Eastleigh MP and Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"The climate change bill is right to set binding targets for carbon emissions, but there have to be annual targets so the Government's progress can be assessed. Merely setting a target for 2050 is pointless.

"We need a Government that proposes solutions, not just targets. If targets alone solved problems, this would be the best-governed country in the world. Only the Liberal Democrats are showing how to tax pollution not people and meet our agreed targets, with the green tax switch.

"Any new commission must be independent and authoritative so that it can fairly assess the Government's carbon progress, and report impartially to Parliament each year."

Commenting on the lack of a marine bill, Mr Huhne said:

"The disappointment is that the Marine Bill has been dropped. It is desperately needed to ensure protection of our seas from environmental damage. More marine protection areas are crucial to preserve some of the rarest types of marine environment."