Letter: A Budget that ends consumerism

Sir: Norman Lamont's idea of levying VAT on domestic fuel as a 'green measure' is fine as far as it goes. What is also needed is a sum of money set aside as grants to enable people to insulate their properties to a decent standard. The 'green measure' should not raise revenue, but rather maintain it with an energy efficiency policy.

If the Government does not provide resourcing for grants it is likely to throw millions of this increased revenue away in increased social security payments.

Let's hope that the Government has the sense to show that it is not half-hearted about green issues or heartless to people's needs and comfort with positive measures to reduce energy consumption rather than half-baked Budget ideas to raise revenue.

Yours faithfully,

G. ANEIRIN OWENS

London, NW1

17 March