Government to increase environmental spending
July 13, 2004
The Government has increased the environment budget from £3.2 billion this year to £3.5 billion.
The 1.2% rise will help meet environmental improvement targets for 2010, including a 20% cut in carbon dioxide emissions, the target of 10% electricity from renewable sources and reduced reliance on landfill waste dumping.
Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said there will be support for waste management by councils.
He also announced extra money to sponsor low carbon technologies, more support through recycling landfill tax revenues for businesses that are energy efficient and to minimise waste, with additional Private Finance Initiative (PFI) credits worth £150m a year by 2008.
The Chancellor's announcement allows the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to continue to focus on priority areas including the threat of climate change, fuel poverty, cutting down on the rubbish mountain, and encouraging energy efficiency.
Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, said: "This is a good settlement for the environment and for DEFRA which will allow us to deliver a sustainable future for everyone."
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