Des at PMQs on climate change

Des Turner MP (Brighton Kemptown) has sought assurances from the Prime Minister that the financial crisis should not deflect the Government from tackling climate change.

Des is concerned that companies involved in developing low carbon technologies are suffering from the credit crunch and projects are being put at risk.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the importance of the growing low carbon environmental sector - which he said was worth around £100 billion and employed around 800,000 people - and reasserted the Government's commitment to supporting the renewables sector.

In welcoming the Prime Minister's response Des said:

"It is vital that we continue to support the fight against climate change even in these difficult economic times.  As the Prime Minister has acknowledged the low carbon environmental sector is an increasingly important part of the economy and it is predicted to show strong future growth.

"It makes both economic and environmental sense to maintain funding for low carbon technologies and the Government must do all that it can to ensure that companies that are at the forefront of developing technologies to tackle climate change are supported through the credit crunch."

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Here is the question asked by Des Turner, and the PM's answer:

"I am sure that my Rt. Hon. Friend will agree with me that we must not let the financial crisis to deflect us from tackling climate change.  I don't know if my Rt. Hon. Friend is appear but companies involved in developing low carbon technologies are suffering from the credit crunch and projects are at risk.  Will my Rt. Hon. Friend undertake to ensure that the Government does all that it can to give these companies the support that they need to delivery?"

Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister:

"Mr. Speaker, he is absolutely right: there is growing low carbon environmental sector in this country that we need to support.  It is worth around £100 billion and employs around 800,000 people and we will do what we can to support it even if the Conservative Party has a huge disinterest in the environment now."

Des Turner MP continues to be a strong advocate for tackling climate change through his parliamentary work and was on the committee that produced the Draft Climate Change Bill.  Des is a member of the Environmental Audit Committee and the recently formed Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change.