Green issues 'not top priority'
June 22, 2005
Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett is having to fight to stop ministers neglecting green issues in the quest for jobs, the Liberal Democrats say.
The party says it has obtained a letter from her to Foreign Secretary Jack Straw in which she tries to protect the concept of sustainable development.
But it says a Treasury memo appears to suggest jobs and growth should have priority over environmental fears.
A government spokesman said such discussions were to be expected.
In the letter, Ms Beckett appears to try to protect the idea that economic, environmental and social considerations should be included in government decisions.
She argues the environmental aspect, in particular, must not be downgraded.
But the Treasury memo, also obtained by the Lib Dems, appears to suggest jobs and economic growth should be given a higher importance by decision-makers.
Lib Dem environment spokesman Norman Baker said the documents proved the government was throwing the environment overboard in a futile pursuit of jobs.
But the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said inter-department debate of this nature was to be expected in the run-up to European negotiations.
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