CLIMATE CHANGE BILL OPPORTUNITY TO TACKLE RURAL PROBLEMS

BILL SHOULD BE ABOUT MORE THAN TAX

Angus MP Mike Weir has called upon Parliament to ensure that the forthcoming Climate Change Bill is about more than green taxation and pointed out that it offers the opportunity to tackle many of the problems of rural areas such as Angus.

Speaking in the final day of the debate on the Queens Speech Mr Weir said that he welcomed the introduction of the bill.

“The bill follows a long campaign ably led by Friends of the Earth.  It does give the impression, however, of having been introduced as a panic measure in response to public pressure and we have yet to be given any detail as to what it will contain. 

“What has been depressing about the public debate since the announcement of the bill has been that it has focussed on taxation, and in particular what new green taxes we will face.

“Tackling climate change is about much more than taxation.  Tax will form part of it but this gives us a great opportunity to look at the whole aspect of our society and actions across government to see how, for example, services are delivered.

“Recent figures have suggested that emissions are greater per head in some rural rather than urban areas but that is likely to e entirely due to the greater need to use cars.

“Rural areas such as Angus have suffered from centralisation of services for many years in areas such as hospitals, schools, post offices and even shopping.  If we are serious about combating climate change we should look at providing services in local communities so that we do not have to travel to access them.

“The debate on climate change gives us a perfect opportunity to look to fight for greater recognition of local communities.”