Just because an issue falls off the front pages doesn't mean that it has gone away. Subjects wax and wane in the headlines but remain vital in the long-term public interest.
Take the environment, for example, where there is a continuing need to tackle climate change by reducing our carbon footprint and conserving energy. I know that a few folk remain sceptical about climate change, despite the overwhelming view of scientists, but I think it is wisest to err on the side of precaution. In any case, we should conserve our limited energy supplies as well as cut our bills.
The current coalition combines blue and yellow but isn't very green in four important areas that I focus on in Parliament.
First, I recently visited a local firm who told me efforts to involve companies in exploiting the power of the sun through photovoltaic panels to produce electricity have been undermined by inter-departmental disagreement and dithering. The Department for Energy and Climate Change says that because the use of solar power could exceed expectations it may limit the size of the scheme. This will discourage companies from producing higher percentages of their power by renewable means.
The Department is reviewing the scheme but this creates uncertainty and could discourage companies which wish to invest. It seems to me that the left hand at the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the right hand at the Business Department don't know what each is doing. I am therefore urging ministers to get this sorted.
I have been told of local projects to invest in solar photovoltaic arrays that are now just hanging in the air. I am worried that the limit on schemes will be set too low. Not only would such projects help reduce our energy consumption but they would also do much to promote regional and private sector growth as well as jobs. What should be a real boost to green jobs looks like actually costing jobs and business.
Second, the Environment Department has delayed its Water White Paper from June until the autumn. It could provide an opportunity to improve water efficiency and tackle rising customer bills. This policy paralysis is causing uncertainty for the water sector and households looking for help with their bills.
Third, the government is backtracking on the commitment to introduce mandatory reporting of carbon emissions by businesses. Both parts of the Coalition backed this before the election but are now going soft on the issue. A decision was due early this year but there is now talk about further consultation and restricting this to larger companies only or on a voluntary basis. Most companies already fail to comply on a voluntary basis.
Ministers seem keen to dilute this eminently sensible proposal because they say it will run counter to pledges to cut red tape. These are the tried and tested tactics of those who are trying to kick something into the long grass in order to hide it from view.
Fourth, people will be driven off the rails into their cars by even higher fares in coming "reforms" to the railways. A region like ours is best connected to economic activity in the south by rail than road. Nationally we already have some of the highest fares in Europe and a peculiar patchwork of some public and many private organisations that parcel up the network using huge public subsidies and fleecing customers. We should reinstate a single, integrated and accessible public rail network which could grow this more environment-friendly mode of transport.
Historically our region was at the cutting edge of coal and steel and can now lead the green economy with big ticket items such as offshore wind turbines. But safeguarding the environment also requires ministerial decisiveness on smaller issues like those mentioned above. Ministers need to get a grip if we are to go green and go for growth.
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
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