UK Opposition Party Mulls Green Investment Bank If Elected
LONDON -(Dow Jones)- The U.K.'s main opposition group, the Conservative Party,
is considering creating a so-called Green Investment Bank to help develop new
low-carbon technologies if it wins the general election to be held before next
June, the party's finance spokesman said Tuesday.
"I can today announce that we are consulting on the creation of a Green
Investment Bank, which will invest in the next generation of green British
businesses," said Shadow Chancellor George Osborne.
"Instead of the current system of multiple sources of government funding for
green investment projects, we will look to roll up these funds into a single
bank that can leverage private sector investment and fund new green start-ups,"
Osborne said in a speech.
Similar banks have already been set up in Germany, Australia, France and
Spain.
"If we're to compete in the technologies of the future, and come out of this
recession with a more balanced economy, then Britain needs to play catch up," he
added.
Osborne also said, if elected, the Conservative Party will introduce Green
ISAs, a new tax-free savings vehicle where all the funds invested go to green
companies and environmental technologies.
Osborne pledged to cut government emissions by 10% within 12 months.
-By Selina Williams, Dow Jones Newswires +44 207 842 9262; selina.williams@
dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
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