Wilson: 350,000 reasons why Copenhagen was a mistake
Sammy Wilson has asked the Secretary of State for Climate Change how much it cost to send his ministers and officials to the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, and was disappointed to learn that the expensive jamboree is estimated to have cost £350,000.
The East Antrim representative said:
“The total cost of sending 38 people to Copenhagen was £350,000. This figure includes office space rent though why they needed to rent office space I have no idea. Nevertheless, three questions need to be asked of the Government. First, what was the justification for sending 38 people to Copenhagen? Second, why did this cost £350,000 (nearly £10,000 each) and finally – was it worth it?
My view, and I have to say the general consensus of the most of the world, is that the whole expensive charade was a waste of time. Nothing was agreed and no binding cuts or targets were set, but I am glad that this was the case.
However I realise that for many people in Government, £350,000 is not a lot of money. It is only a small part of the department’s overall budget. And while there are many things that this money could be better spent on, it is seen as small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.
But the cost of the Government’s obsession with climate change goes far beyond £350,000 to attend a conference. It has led to each family in the UK paying hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds extra per year in tax. There is fuel duty, and vehicles exise duty raised for the sake of climate change. The Air Passenger duty has raised the cost of going on holiday. The landfill tax has cost millions. The Climate Change Levy was introduced to penalise businesses for not cutting emissions but has harmed business. And the emissions trading scheme has contributed to the loss of thousands of jobs.
There is little doubt that sending 38 people to Copenhagen was a waste of time and money, but the even greater scandal is that we are being forced to cough up thousands of pounds extra in green taxes. As I speak to different people in my constituency, many tell me that they are struggling to pay the bills and others say that they used to get by comfortably, but now they worry if they will get by at all. Green taxation has contributed to the extra burden that is placed on families and in Parliament I am committed to ensuring that we that spend money more wisely and I will not be supporting any new taxes which will add extra pressure on those already struggling to cope.”
