Greenpeace response to Chancellor’s spending inheritance speech

In response to the Chancellor’s speech this afternoon, in which she outlined the infrastructure projects that would be cut in order to address the £22bn shortfall in public finances, Greenpeace UK’s political campaigner, Ami McCarthy, said:

“The chosen list of infrastructure projects that the Chancellor plans to scrap in order to plug the £22bn black hole is as enigmatic as the celestial bodies themselves.

“Ditching expensive white elephant road building schemes, which have been long-fought by many local campaigners, is a wise move. However, putting the brakes on the reopening of old railway lines would be counterproductive in delivering the job creation and prosperity that her government is promising.

“In order to rebuild our economy in the way that Rachel Reeves would like, the government must borrow to invest in renewable energy projects, a mass programme to insulate homes, and the scaling up of public transport.

“Together with fairer tax reforms and increased taxes on the super-rich and polluting companies, Reeves has an opportunity to simultaneously create jobs, protect communities facing climate impacts, and bring prosperity back to this country. All eyes are now on her upcoming Budget.”