Government plans green budget
Gordon Brown has claimed the Budget will offer a green route to economic recovery
The government is planning to introduce one of its most eco-friendly Budgets later this month, Gordon Brown has suggested.
A range of environmentally-sound measures are expected to be included in the financial plans, which will be announced by chancellor Alistair Darling on April 22nd, as ministers plan to lead the UK to a "green" economic recovery.
Speaking to the Independent around a week after announcing plans to restore sustainable growth in the world economy at the G20 summit, the prime minister revealed proposals to make Britain a leader in the production of electric cars.
Trials for the use of the eco-friendly vehicles are also set to take place in two or three cities from 2010, while a push to create 400,000 jobs in green industries will take place over the next five years.
Mr Brown also claimed that smart meters will be installed in all properties, while ministers want to increase the construction of windfarms and the development of cleaner coal services.
Talking to the newspaper, the prime minister emphasised that "a different type of economy will emerge in the recovery".
The plans have been welcomed by non-profit organisation The Climate Group, with chief executive officer Steve Howard claiming investment in eco-friendly technology will “convert a trade deficit into tens of thousands of green jobs”.
He added: “A green stimulus is the right thing to do for the economy, for jobs and for the planet.”
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