Farron Condemns Government's Green Record

Tim Farron MP has criticised the government's new energy policy, following a speech by the Energy and Climate Change Secretary.

In a speech earlier this week, Amber Rudd MP the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change set out the government's new energy policy priorities.

Although Amber Rudd's speech did include the end of electricity from coal, which the Liberal Democrats have long argued for and which the Conservatives repeatedly opposed during the Coalition, there were also many less progressive measures. The government's plan involves cutting back further on renewables and increasing the use of nuclear and gas-fired plants. Decarbonisation has been down-graded in terms of priority.

Tim said: "The Conservatives cannot pretend they are serious about tackling climate change, and at the same time continue to cut back support for renewable energy. Without the Lib Dems, they are shamelessly destroying the green legacy put in place by the coalition.

"I am dismayed by the government's decision to cut support for renewable energy - not just because of the many South Lakes residents who work in the industry, but because of the opportunity the government is throwing away. Britain is a global leader in renewable energy technology and has the opportunity to lead the world in the green economy, yet that is put in jeopardy by the government's actions."