News

"Allusion, No Detail", LI Response to the Budget

23rd March 2006

Dynamism, innovation and a tough stance is needed to put the UK at the forefront of tackling the environmental issues faced by the UK and Gordon Brown’s budget showed promise, although the Landscape Institute would call for more substance.

The £1 billion energy and environmental research institute is a very welcome initiative but the Landscape Institute urges the Government not to waste its potential.

Claire Luxton, director of policy at the Landscape Institute said: “There is some promise here and real funds available but I strongly recommend that the Government consults design and construction experts to ensure that the research leads to realistic and practicable solutions that can integrate into our lives and therefore encourage the take up necessary to address our impact on the environment.”

The proposed institute would be funded by the Government and private industry and would allow significant research and development which could provide invaluable new methods of disposal, recycling, energies and so on. The UK could position itself at the forefront of environmental research by taking an active approach and proving its determination to tackle the current biggest threat to the world.

“The need to show commitment to reversing the effects we are having on the environment is critical and an influential country needs to lead the way and show larger nations, such as India and China, that this is serious,” continued Luxton. “We need to demonstrate that it is possible to continue to trade and have a strong economy while reducing pollution, relying on alternative energies and acquiring a sustainable approach to our lives before it’s too late.

“The Landscape Institute would be delighted to work with those involved to make sure that practical results are offered that really make a difference.”