Written question asked by Tim Yeo (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 June 1997. It was answered by Angela Eagle (Labour) on Monday, 2 June 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: What estimate he has made of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions which will be caused by reducing VAT on domestic fuel.

Answer: Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions which will be caused by reducing VAT on domestic fuel. [653] Angela Eagle: We have estimated that the reduction in VAT on domestic fuel to 5 per cent. will result in an increase in carbon dioxide emissions of about 0.9 million tonnes per year (equivalent to about a quarter of a million tonnes of carbon) by 2010. This represents about 0.15 per cent. of current carbon dioxide emissions. We shall be developing measures to reduce carbon dioxide measures in fields such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, combined heat and power, and our integrated transport strategy so as to deliver our proposed target of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels by 2010.

Secondary information