MILIBAND MUST EXPLAIN ENVIRONMENT AGENCY CUTS - HUHNE

4.49.24pm GMT Tue 27th Mar 2007

The Liberal Democrats have today challenged David Miliband to explain why Environment Agency staff are being threatened with redundancy.

Many members of staff have been sent risk notices to warn them that they may lose their jobs. The Liberal Democrats believe that 200 jobs could go.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"David Miliband must explain the reasons for the current cutbacks. Not only has the Environment Agency had to cope with cuts in the flood defence budget, but it now appears that jobs are under threat.

"This is just another example of disjointed and dysfunctional government policy on climate change.

"This follows hard on the heels of budget cuts to the Hadley Centre and The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, both of which undertake vital climate change research.

"If the Government was serious about tackling climate change, and dealing with its effects, it would not be cutting staff levels at agencies essential to this challenge."