Brown paves the way for ‘green’ Budget

This year’s Budget will contain a series of ‘green’ measures to help haul the UK out of recession, Gordon Brown has revealed.

In a newspaper interview, the Prime Minister said the forthcoming Budget – to be held on 22 April – would include plans to trial electric cars and a roadside network of vehicle-charging points.

Mr Brown also suggested that a ‘scrappage’ scheme where motorists would receive up to £2,000 for trading in an older car for a newer environmentally-friendly vehicle, was possible.

Outlining the plans, he said: ‘This is a job creator, a quality of life improver and an environment-enhancing measure. We want to harness a desire among people to be part of this. A better Britain means building a greener Britain.’

Meanwhile, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has called on the Government to use this month’s Budget to cut red tape for UK firms.

The BCC wants rate relief for small businesses to be made automatic and the new laws on agency workers to be postponed for as long as possible.

‘The Budget is an opportunity for the Government to show business that it is doing everything possible to support them,’ said BCC director-general David Frost. ‘It will be business that drives the UK out of recession and for this reason it is vital that they have the freedom to create jobs and wealth.’

The 2009 Budget will be delivered by Chancellor Alistair Darling at 12.30pm on Wednesday 22 April.