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David Ward MPMember of Parliament for Bradford East@DavidWardMP on Twitter and Facebook |
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David Ward MP <>
Green Economy
My Party were campaigning on the environment long before it was fashionable. In Government, we recognise that our biggest challenge is to not only rescue our economy, but to also build a sustainable economy. That is why the Coalition Government is working on plans for the first ever Green Investment Bank; why we're investing £1 billion in the first carbon capture and storage demonstration project in the world; and why we're investing more than £800 million in renewable heat.
We will also be implementing Liberal Democrat plans for a Green Deal to allow energy efficiency improvements in homes and businesses to be paid for through future savings on energy Bills. This will help businesses and families to save money, cut carbon emissions and create 100,000 jobs in the British economy.
The Green Investment Bank is the world's first of its kind. This helps Britain become the world's leader in green technology. It will begin operation in 2012-13, a year earlier than expected, with £3bn of capitalisation and will deliver an additional £18bn of investment in green infrastructure. We need world-class infrastructure to support our economic growth. Even in the face of such pressure on public finances, we will prioritize the areas that will help us dump the deficit and bring low-carbon jobs, manufacturing and skills to the UK.
My Party's continued support for putting the environment at the heart of the economy were confirmed out our Spring Conference, when we approved a motion strengthening the party's commitment to making this the greenest government ever. The motion welcomed the Coalition's Green Deal, Green Investment Bank and ambitious carbon reduction targets. It also called for improvements in energy efficiency and support for green infrastructure, transport and technologies.
I would also like to make it clear that we are not in favour of any plans for a potential new airport in the Thames Estuary. We're prepared for the issue to be considered as part of a wider consultation on aviation policy. But the consultation must take the views of stakeholders, including local communities and environmental groups, into account. The proposals were put forward by the Mayor of London and by a Labour Peer, Lord Foster, and were not part of our Coalition policy. It would be irresponsible environmentally to create a new airport in the London area; we opposed it at the last general election and we oppose it now.
I hope this is helpful in setting out the Liberal Democrat's commitment to economic growth that respects environmental limits and values the environment that we will pass on to future generations. I believe that the policies that we have helped to drive in the Coalition will make Britain a leader in green growth for decades to come.
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