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Archived press release

Blueprint for a Green Budget: Tax Pollution and Waste - Not Jobs

22 November 1996

Eco-Tax Reform
Friends of the Earth has long advocated the introduction of an 'eco-tax reform' package to create jobs and reduce environmental damage. In a special briefing - Green Dividends [3] -Friends of the Earth calls on the Chancellor to cut employers' National Insurance Contributions by £2 billion, thereby stimulating employment, and fund it through increasing tax on waste and pollution instead.

Charles Secrett, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, said:

"It's madness that jobs are being taxed whilst the destruction of our natural environment continues unhindered. These reforms make good social,environmental and economic sense - without raising the overall tax bill by a penny. I hope Mr Clarke has the vision to act."

Cut 'perverse subsidies' and redirect investment
Currently over £6 billion of government subsidies and tax breaks are being used to support environmentally damaging practices such as intensive farming and nuclear power lgeneration. These subsidies should either be cut altogether or be redirected towards more environmentally beneficial practices.

Charles Secrett said:

    "Vast sums of public money are being wasted on subsidising activities that damage the environment. The Chancellor should act now to cut or redirect these perverse subsidies".

ENDS                                         OVER>>>

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1]    The Budget is on Tuesday 26 November 1996

[2]     See attached sheet - Budget 1996: Friends of the Earth's Blueprint for a Green     Budget

[3]      Green Dividends - Why the Chancellor Should Invest in Eco-Tax Reform (16     pages)

[Index]

For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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