'Green' Budget to aid economic recovery

The Prime Minister has said the next Budget will have a green tinge to it as he sees environmental initiatives as the way forward to rescue the economy.

Gordon Brown said that the Chancellor will announce trials of electric cars in the next budget due on 22 April.

He believes that jobs of the future would come from a 'green revolution' and has set a target of creating 400,000 jobs in the environment sector The Independent reported.

Brown said: 'A better Britain means building a greener Britain.'

'This is a major part of our plan for recovery in the Budget' he added.

However Brown hinted that Chancellor Alistair Darling may have to announce tax rises for the medium term to balance the country's books as original forecasts on public borrowing of £118bn, may rise to approximately £150bn.

The PM is looking at ways to build up the UK economy through environmental investment and has set a target of a 50% increase in green goods and services in the next few years investing £1.5bn in the industry.

Brown hopes to increase the UK's chances of economic recovery with investment in electric cars and has begun talks with power companies and councils to ensure vehicles can recharge their batteries on a national framework.

He added that he wanted to make the UK 'a world leader' in producing and exporting electric cars.

Jaguar Land Rover received a £340m loan from the European Investment Bank to develop 'green' vehicles.

Further reading:

Brown's electric dream for Britain

Environmental agendas take back seat to corporate survival

Car emission cap delayed to 2015