Wychavon Tories have dismissed calls for a switch to green taxation, proposed by Liberal Democrat Councillors.

In a motion to Tuesday’s Council meeting, Liberal Democrats asked the Council to support moves to shift taxation from income to pollution.  They wanted to see an increase in taxation on aircraft and on large new vehicles such as 4x4s, based on carbon emissions.

The Notice of Motion, signed by Councillors Margaret Rowley (Bowbrook) and Charles Tucker (Pershore) called on the council to support measures to increase tax on pollution, including an aircraft tax based on emissions from the aircraft introduce more steeply graduated vehicle excise duties for new vehicles, based on levels of carbon emissions

Councillor Margaret Rowley said “Climate change is a serious threat and we need to act immediately to reverse global warming. Our proposals are a practical way of ensuring this happens. The threat to our environment will also have drastic economic effects. The Stern Report published this week reveals that 20% of the worlds global output could be lost.”