REPORT HIGHLIGHTS MISSED OPPORTUNITIES ON ENVIRONMENT - HUHNE

12.00.00am GMT Mon 19th Mar 2007

Commenting on today's report from the Environmental Audit Committee on the Pre-Budget Report in 2006 and the Stern Review, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"This report highlights Gordon Brown's missed opportunities ever since he was spooked by the fuel duty protests in 2000.

"Green taxes have been falling steadily as a percentage of our national income, meaning the Government has failed to use a key lever to tackle climate change.

"When the Chancellor has modestly raised green taxes he has given them a bad name by failing to guarantee that the revenue will be handed back in tax cuts elsewhere.

"The Chancellor has another opportunity to rise to the occasion on Wednesday, but unfortunately his track record shows that he is brown not green."