Green taxes fall as pollution lowers life expectancy

5.26.36pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 5th Apr 2006

Commenting on the publication of the Governments new consultation on a strategy for improving air quality, which states that air pollution in the UK is "not declining as quickly as expected" and that levels of pollutants in the UK could reduce average life expectancy by eight months, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP, said:

"Instead of leading the way Britain has been lagging behind the rest of Europe. For months the Governments has been attempting to water down targets under the emissions trading scheme.

"Labour have a poor record on the environment which this announcement today does little to dispel. Green taxes have fallen year on year as a share of national income since 1999.

"There are now adverse effects on life expectancy due to air pollution.

"The Liberal Democrats recognise that green taxes have to rise, while allowing other taxes to fall, to change environmental behaviour. Tinkering at the edges simply won't do."