Labour Moving In The Wrong Direction On Sustainable Development

1.15.38pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 18th Mar 2004

Norman Baker MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, responding to the publication of the 4th annual report on UK Progress Towards Sustainable Development, said: "The Government may like to claim it has a positive message on sustainable development the UK is moving in the right direction, but the reality since Labour came to power is sadly very different."

"The World Economic Forum ranks Britain 91st in the world when it comes to environmental sustainability, and municipal waste has risen 17%. Britain languishes at the bottom of the European league, recycling just 9% of its household waste, and domestic energy consumption is up nearly 7% since 1997."

"Delays on our railways have doubled, road traffic is up by 8%, and traffic growth of up to 25% is forecast for England by 2010."

"The Environment Minister Elliot Morley claims we are moving in the right direction, but we are moving in a way that wastes energy, adds to climate change, and worsens congestion."

"This is not sustainable development. It is old fashioned, uncontrolled, unsustainable development."