Extra cash for waste PFI schemes; £200m more for protection against floods and coastal erosion; funds for low-carbon energy technology programme

Chancellor Alistair Darling laid out plans to ensure a “sustainable future” at the announcement of his spending review yesterday.

The proposals included:

  • Extra credits for local authorities planning waste PFI schemes, from £280m in 2007-08 to £700m in 2010-11
  • A £200m increase for flood and coastal erosion risk management across government, from £600m in 2007-08 to £800mi in 2010-11
  • an extra £170m for the cross-government Environmental Transformation Fund (ETF) which aims to “invest in the demonstration and deployment of low carbon energy and energy efficiency technologies within England and the UK, to help reduce carbon emissions and improve the security of energy supply”.

Speaking about the ETF extra funds environment secretary Hilary Benn said: “The world needs major investment in technologies that will put us on the path to a low carbon economy. The policies and programmes we have in place to fight climate change will help drive investment in clean, renewable technologies, with benefits for jobs and Britain's economy. The funding we’re announcing today will provide further support to that effort.”


Hilary Benn
Hilary Benn, environment secretary

However responding to the funds for flood risks The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said today that the money was less than was needed and might lead them not be able to provide cover to affected areas and properties.

Topics