By Alex Delaney
Islington Council have turned their noses up at the Gordon Brown’s attempt to up his green credentials, in what is likely to be his last ever budget.
Lucy Watt, Islington Borough Council’s executive for the environment, said: “Islington council has been implementing green policies for some time now. In this respect the Chancellor is behind the times.”
Gordon Brown is competing with the Conservatives for making the greenest policies and will encourage more environmentally friendly behaviour, with tax incentives for the installation of green energy sources in their homes.
Over the next two years, tax on inefficient cars will increase to at least £400. Owners of many other cars are also expected to face a rise in inflation, or a modest above-inflation increase, but owners of the least polluting cars will enjoy tax reductions.
Gordon Brown’s measures fall well short of the demands of the green lobby and are small, compared to the green policies of local councils.
The budget comes as Islington Council announce a £3 million fund for the installation of solar panels and wind turbines for homeowners.
Islington Green campaigners, Groundwork, are critical of Brown’s proposals. Representative Ben Levinson said: “The budget does not go as far as it could in releasing money for improving the homes of millions of people who want to cut their carbon footprint.”
Sarah Metcalf, who lives in Highbury, and owns a 4x4, says she will be hit hardest by Brown’s latest budget. “ I don’t mind if my road tax goes up, because I own a car that pollutes - what I resent is that Brown is only doing it to compete with the Conservatives.”
Wendy Baverstock, who works for Groundwork, and supports the Islington Climate Change Partnership, said: “ Islington is quite far ahead of other councils and I hope that the Chancellors budget will bring other councils into line.”
The Chancellor has also announced an extra £1 billion to tackle child poverty. With some Islington children being among the most deprived in the country, Brown’s investment in education and child poverty could help those who need it most.
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
"Chancellor is behind the times" says councillor for environment
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Retail price index rejig
By Alex Delaney
The ‘shopping list’ of goods in the retail price index is changing. Brussel sprouts and vegetable oil are out - olive oil and fizzy drinks are in.
It seems broccoli is a more reliable measure of our regular shopping habits because it is not as seasonal as other greens.
Technology is the clearest indicator of how much things have changed in recent years with portable radios and CD’s out, and satellite navigation and recordable DVD’s heading for the shopping basket this year.
The retail price index is based on the cost of 650 everyday goods and services. The list helps The Bank of England keep to its inflation targets. The National Office of Statistics collects about 120,000 costs each month to use in its assessment of inflationary pressures on the economy.
Some items are included because the number of people purchasing them means they represent everyday spending; others, such as diamond rings, because it is easy to gather statistics on them.
It is the first year that toothbrushes will be included and the much maligned brussel sprout has been taken out after a stunning 60 years on the list.
The list appears to show a trend in consumer spending towards middle class goods and services. This year the Office for National Statistics has chosen to include the cost of mortgage arrangements and credit card fees. Brie cheese, a bourgeois staple, has however fallen out of favour and is being dropped from the list along with children’s wellington boots and sunglasses.