George Osborne delivered his latest budget and criticism has been noticeable aimed at the large tax breaks given to oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. As the Government seek to protect jobs as well as drive tax revenue from selling more gas and oil.
Mr Osborne was also criticised for using the expression 'this is a budget for future generations' but avoided any major policy decisions which drives the UK on towards the new Paris Agreement on climate change.
George Osborne did announce "up to" £730m of support for offshore wind and other less established" renewables, to be delivered from 2021-22 onwards via auctions.
For the majority of energy assessors who use vehicles to run their business, fuel duty is to be frozen at 57.95p per litre for sixth year in a row.
Elmhurst of course welcome the commitment to inject over £700m in to support for offshore wind and other less established renewables; but these are due in 2021; which currently seems a long way off. Energy and Climate Change policies and ideas seems very stuck 'in neutral' (if not reverse) at the moment, if the Government are indeed keen to make all our decisions about 'future generations' then we can only hope to see major commitment to doing the right thing and moving towards green energy and energy efficiency – our future generations, indeed most sensible commentators demand action and not just words.