Green boost in UK pre-budget report
Posted by ericww on December 12, 2009
It’s not been generally received with huge applause, but UK Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer Alastair Darling’s Pre-Budget report this week did contain at least a nod of additional support to the renewable energy and environment agendas through tax savings and additional funding….
Energency efficiency
The Government will set aside £200 million from April to help with energy efficiency, which includes £150 million to help 75,000 of the most vulnerable households through the Warm Front scheme and £50 million to fund the greener boiler incentive for 125,000 homes. The Warm Front scheme is delivered by Newcastle-based eaga plc through a contract with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)
Energy discounts and payouts
Energy companies are asked to provide discounts to a further one million homes in financial difficulty. From April people with a home with a wind turbine or solar panels who send power back to the national grid will receive an average tax-free payment of £900 a year. Electric vehicles are to be exempted from company car tax, and electric vans from a van benefit charge, for five years.
Carbon
£160 million investment in low-carbon and renewable projects, through the Innovation Investment Fund and the Carbon Trust’s venture capital scheme.
