Govt green recovery plans do not match ambition of other countries

Responding to Chancellor Rishi Sunak's announcement of a package of measures worth £3bn, Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said:

"Across our country millions face an unprecedented economic and health crisis. We need a radical new direction to meet this challenge. We need a massive green stimulus so we both provide jobs and tackle this crisis and the climate crisis.

"The Government's spending on climate change simply does not match the scale of ambition necessary to reshape our economy, nor does it match the sums other countires have pledged. That is why the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Chancellor to do more and invest £150 billion over three years through a Green Recovery Plan.

"We must not forget this pandemic hasn't affected everyone equally. Amongst the worst hit are self employed workers, many of whom still aren't receiving any support. This is a gross injustice against some of the most vulnerable workers in the UK. The Chancellor must use his statement to expand support for the self-employed and all vulnerable workers."