IEMA Says Spending Review Has Sustainability in its Sights

IEMA’s Policy & Practice Lead Josh Fothergill has just commented on Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne’s Spending Review, saying:

“With its distinct focus on security, opportunity for families, integration of health and social care, devolution and infrastructure, today’s spending review seems to have sustainability firmly in its sights, but the devil really will be in the detail.”

“Ring-fencing spend on flood resilience, an enhanced focus on apprenticeships and skills, new energy research schemes and making investments in transport infrastructure on a scale not seen since the 1970s are all positive moves. There are, however, over 15% cuts made to Defra, DECC and BIS’s day-to-day spending, so the question our Members would ask is ‘is there realistically enough resource to deliver a sustainable future?’. If the Government is aiming to rebuild Britain, it needs to be aligned to long term sustainability trends beyond just the economy or single term parliaments.”

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