The Green Party has responded to the publication of an industrial strategy green paper published by the Government. In the paper, which the Government says aims to 'build an industrial strategy that addresses long-term challenges to the UK economy' Ministers set out plans to increase British competitiveness and improve living standards. 

 

In response to the publication of the strategy the co-leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, noted that “any industrial strategy must have at its core a belief in a properly funded state that’s able to flex its muscle. A hollowed out post-Brexit economy simply won’t provide a sustainable footing – which is why the Government must rule out any race to the bottom on taxes or regulations."

 

She said:

"Though this industrial strategy is a step forward the Government has today missed an opportunity to build the foundations of a fundamentally rebalanced British economy. With 2016 now officially confirmed as the hottest year on record and our national infrastructure at great risk from the changing climate, we need to step-up action on the greatest challenge we face. At the heart of any forward thinking industrial strategy should have been an unequivocal commitment to phasing out the use of fossil fuels. 

 

“Any industrial strategy worth its name in the 21st century has to be a Green industrial strategy. Instead, renewables investment in UK is set to fall 95% over next three years, the Government has no plan for how to meet its climate change targets from the mid-2020s onwards, and Ministers are on the brink of flogging off the publicly-owned Green Investment Bank.

 

“A truly green industrial strategy must mean more investment than ever in the zero-carbon economy, helping Britain to become a world-leader in the renewable and low-carbon sectors. To that end, the Government must urgently halt the sale of the Green Investment Bank, and use it to fund innovative and dynamic energy and decarbonisation projects across the UK.

 

“The government must also ensure that the industrial strategy does not sit in a silo. It must be linked to the delayed Emissions Reduction Plan, and the 25 Year Plan for the Environment, both due later this year. 

 

“After the referendum Britain is at a crossroads – we have an opportunity to decide what kind of country we want to become. The Tories’ claims to be interventionist ring hollow when held up against their threats last week of turning Britain into a corporate tax haven on the edge of Europe. Any industrial strategy must have at its core a belief in a properly funded state that’s able to flex its muscle. A hollowed out post-Brexit economy simply won’t provide a sustainable footing – which is why the Government must rule out any race to the bottom on taxes or regulations."

 

ENDS

 

Contact: Matthew Butcher on 07885 459 904 or clucasmedia@parliament.uk