Make Budget greener, say Tories

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The Conservatives have called for a "green revolution" in next week's Budget, including help with home insulation and carbon capture schemes.

Shadow chancellor George Osborne also announced plans to allow families to sell electricity they generate by wind or solar power to the national grid.

This would "unleash £30bn of private sector investment" in environmentally friendly technology, he added.

But the government said the Tories had not matched its own commitments.

Mr Osborne, in a speech in London, said that under a Conservative government each household would be entitled to £6,500 of energy-saving technologies.

'No upfront costs'

It would provide "guarantees to enable companies to borrow the money to install this energy-saving equipment in homes across the country", he added.

Mr Osborne said: "This money would be repaid through savings on energy bills resulting from the improved energy efficiency.

"So homeowners would be given the opportunity to have energy-saving equipment fitted to their homes without any upfront costs.

"Assuming just one in two homes take up the offer, this would catalyse at least £20bn of new private sector investment, and create new jobs in every region."

Mr Osborne added: "What about starting this green revolution right now, in next week's Budget?"

He added: "By implementing the policies we set out, the chancellor can unleash £30bn of private sector investment in a green technology revolution that will create jobs and opportunities across Britain.

'Yet more debt'

"Instead of racking up yet more debt, these policies would boost the economy by incentivising companies and individuals to build the future."

A Conservative government would also set up pilot schemes to introduce carbon capture at power stations, Mr Osborne added.

He urged ministers to introduce "feed-in tariffs", enabling people creating their own electricity, using wind and solar generators, to sell it to the national grid.

For the government, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said: "If George Osborne is committed to a stronger, greener future for British business, will he match our £250m commitment today to help people with up to £5,000 to buy electric vehicles and to make £150m available for research to car makers?"

Mr Osborne had said that plan should be taken "with a pinch of salt", he added.