We made the regional press this week following our trip to Westminster last week, to meet senior civil servents at BIS (Dept of Business, Innovation, and Skills, formally many reincarnations, but really still the DTI!), and then to Westminster to meet some MP's. No surprise we were stood up by Alistair Darling, either having his eyebrows dyed or finding ways to avoid paying anything towards the introduction of renewable energy and microgeneration. Or both!
Here is what the press said,
Liverpool green entrepreneur David Hunt met with MPs in Westminster to highlight environmental business issues this week.
David, who is director of alternative energy company Eco Environments in Sefton, was part of a delegation from the Chambers of Commerce Northwest who met with Kenneth Clarke MP, and Phil Woolas MP, Minister of State for the Northwest, and former Minister for State for the Environment.
“We delivered our Business First manifesto to MPs from all parties ahead of the forthcoming election,” explains David.
“A key part of this message revolved around access to finance, trade credit and taxation. In particular there was a focus on the green agenda, the Low Carbon Economy.”
David went in his capacity as a member of the Liverpool Chamber steering committee on Energy and the Environment.
“I was particularly keen to push the issue with regard to renewable energy. ŠThere is much talk from government about green jobs and the low carbon economy leading us out of recession, but there is so much more practically that can be done to help.
“Businesses large and small want to reduce their energy costs and their reliance on ever more expensive fossil fuels, simple measures like including wind and solar power into the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme would be a big help. Letting companies offset 100% of the costs against tax.
“From our experience as installers of renewable energy systems we know many companies want to go green, but planning and taxation are key factors that inhibit such investment. It was a useful opportunity to deliver that message straight to the heart of Westminster.”
Perhaps it was no coincidence that the following day it was announced that planning may be relaxed on the installation of small to medium sized wind turbines, and heat pumps. OK, maybe it was a coincidence!! Still years in this business have made me a sceptic, I'm not holding my breath. I'm still waiting to see how the government will try to wangle out of the commitments they've already made.
