GOVERNMENT'S GREEN CREDENTIALS IN TATTERS

12.25.37pm GMT Sun 21st Jan 2007

In spite of pressure from Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood, Communities and Local Government Minister Phil Woolas MP blocked legislation aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The Local Planning Authorities (Energy and Energy Efficiency) Bill, proposed by Labour backbencher Martin Caton, was prevented from reaching its next stage by Mr Woolas talking about the bill for so long that the allotted time ran out.

Martin, speaking in the House of Commons, intervened on the minister's speech asking him whether he realised that "he is putting the government's green credentials at risk by shamelessly talking out this measure".

Later Martin commented:

"This is yet more evidence that Labour is not serious about taking necessary steps to prevent catastrophic climate change.

"The Government talks tough about the environment but fail to support the necessary action needed to reduce carbon emissions. These measures would have allowed local authorities across the country to reduce carbon emissions, but the minister shamefully killed the Bill. This happened on the very day we learn that worldwide carbon levels are higher than ever.

"The Government's green credentials are in absolute tatters."

"I have already asked Cheltenham Borough Council to introduce measures to make energy efficiency a central consideration in local planning, but was told that government regulations prevented this. This bill would have helped remove these obstacles."