Tories reward recycling residents

Householders who recycle could earn £130 a year in shopping vouchers under plans to be unveiled by shadow chancellor George Osborne.

In a speech at Imperial College London, he is expected to outline a green agenda in contrast to what he calls Labour's "indifferent" approach.

He will say that in the first year of a Tory government, carbon emissions would be cut by 10%.

This could save £300 million in energy costs which would be used to tackle debt. And a scheme to encourage recycling which was piloted in Windsor and Maidenhead will be extended across the country. The trial has boosted recycling by 30%, the Conservatives say, and this would save cash being used for landfill taxes.

Mr Osborne will say: "I want a Conservative Treasury to be in lead of developing the low carbon economy and financing a green recovery. For I see in this green recovery not just the fight against climate change, but the fight for jobs, the fight for new industry, the fight for lower family energy bills and the fight for less wasteful government."

The party has recruited three businesses to provide advice on how to cut carbon emissions - Tesco, BT and B&Q. Tory plans also include proposals for a "green" investment bank and eco-friendly ISAs.

Mr Osborne will also attack Alistair Darling's record on the environment, saying: "When it comes to environmental policy the Treasury has often been at best indifferent, and at worst obstructive. Watch an episode of Yes, Minister if you want to know what happens - or what doesn't happen - when the Treasury isn't engaged.

"Isn't it telling that Alistair Darling hasn't made a major speech on the environment for two years? That attitude is going to change if the Government changes."

Environment secretary Ed Miliband dismissed the plans, saying that the Conservatives had opposed Labour proposals to invest in green industries. He said: "This so-called greening of the Treasury involves no new money.

"The truth is that the Tories have opposed Labour's extra public investment, including the £400 million allocated at the time of the budget for new green industries. So why should anyone believe a piece of greenwash from George Osborne?"