Green industrialist Dale Vince has proposed several green measures that could save households £2,500 a year ahead of the Chancellor’s budget on Wednesday.
The founder of Ecotricity, 62, called for capping the price of North Sea gas and lifting a ban on onshore wind farms.
Dale, who has backed the Express’s Green Britain Needs You campaign, said: “I expect nothing on the green economy from this budget and this government. We can nail our energy bills to the floor, permanently, by pursuing these simple cost-free measures. Grow our economy and create 100s of thousands of good new jobs.
“You have to wonder why, with all this on offer they simply prefer the status quo.”
Other measures proposed by Dale in his alternative green budget include: breaking the link between gas prices and electricity, launching a national program for energy independent homes and reinstating a zero carbon standard for new home builds.
He said for five years, there would be no new money needed and a net saving of more than £80 billion over the decade.
Dale said: “These five steps will unleash significant growth in our economy and reductions in our energy bills. With a net cost of zero – that’s my idea of net zero.”
Labour donor Dale has released a new chapter of his book Manifesto which focuses on the importance of politics as the nation gears up for a general election later this year.
He said: “We need to fight the election based on economic issues: jobs, pay, sustainable economic growth.
“Only a green economy can give us these now. It can also give us energy independence, with lower bills and fuel security. It’s not about the climate, that’s just the icing on the cake. I stopped making the climate case for action a long time ago.
“The economic case is unarguable and the one that resonates with people the most. It speaks to their most immediate concerns. Action on the climate will always look like a luxury compared to action to create jobs, control living costs and make living standards better. These are the outcomes of a green economy.
“The climate shouldn’t and can’t lead the argument. This is the key to solving all the economic problems we face. I believe the green economy is the key to winning the next election.”
