Leading renewable specialist, Rexel UK, has asserted that the Government must recognise that a solid environmental policy is imperative to creating stable economic growth, following the Chancellor’s\u00a0Autumn Statement.<\/p>\n
As anticipated, the Statement saw Chancellor George Osborne reveal that the DECC budget will be cut by 22% over the next four years, while DEFRA\u2019s \u2018day-to-day spending\u2019 will fall by 15%, as part of a deficit reduction drive.<\/p>\n
Later in his speech, the Chancellor pledged to double spending on energy research and support for renewables. However, the Renewable Heating Incentives Scheme, which provides financial incentives suppliers of renewable heat, will see its funding cut by \u00a3700m.<\/p>\n
Steve Everard at Rexel UK comments: \u201cAlthough the green cuts aren\u2019t as great as initially feared, it is still disappointing to see the Government pull back on investment in energy policy and propelling a low carbon economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we, of course, recognise that there are other social and economic concerns which must be addressed, as Osborne noted in the Statement \u2018there is no more important infrastructure than energy\u2019; it is the only way forward if we are to lessen our reliance on foreign oil suppliers, take control of our energy needs and safeguard our future.\u201d<\/p>\n
He adds: \u201cWith the Paris summit just around the corner and our 2020 carbon reduction targets imminent, we just hope that the cuts that are needed in Government spending do not affect our collective ambition to be leaders in the energy revolution that is required in our changing world. We look forward to hearing more of the Government\u2019s environmental strategy as details emerge.\u201d<\/p>\n