Environment: Budget's limited ambitions regretted

Environmental groups have expressed their frustration with what is largely perceived as a disappointing Budget on green issues.

As expected Alistair Darling delivered a range of measures to boost the government's green credentials, including a higher rate of tax for high-emission vehicles and proposed legislation to cut carrier bag usage.

He also postponed the implementation of an increase in fuel duty by six months to this autumn, a development not welcomed by the environmental sector.

The Green party said the budget had not been green but "Brown", saying it offered "more of the same" rather than sweeping changes.

Principal speaker Caroline Lucas rejected his excuse about the fuel duty deferment being delayed because of oil prices, adding: "It tells you all you need to know about the government's attitude to the environment that Darling chose the section on climate change to reaffirm his commitment to expanding both Heathrow and Stansted airports."

The Campaign for Better Transport agreed, describing the delay as a "disaster and a broken promise" which undermined the rest of the Budget.

And Friends of the Earth went further, saying the chancellor had "merely tinkered in the margins" of his promises for putting sustainability at the heart of the Budget.

Director Tony Juniper said the overall package "falls a long way short of what is required and regretted the fuel duty "freeze".

The money raised from the increase could have been diverted to cut taxes and fund further green initiatives, he said.