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WQ.131/2020
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
BY DEPUTY K.F. MOREL OF ST. LAWRENCE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 24th MARCH 2020
Question
How much had been raised as of 29th February 2020 for the Climate Emergency Fund through the extra 4 pence per litre levied on fuel duty; and where have those funds been spent?
Answer
The setting up of the Climate Emergency Fund was agreed in the Government plan in December 2019[1]. The terms of reference for the Fund are set out in the interim response to the climate emergency which was agreed by the Assembly in July 2019[2].
Whilst the fund is not yet fully established or constituted, Treasury have allocated a budget' of £2m which will be credited to the fund. This represents the forecast from raise from fuel duty in 2020. I have requested the figures from our customs colleagues for the fuel duty raised to date and this is set out below.
- The total excise duty paid on fuel in January and February 2020 is broken down into fuel types to reflect the different duty rates.
- Amount of duty paid @ £50.55 per hectolitre or £0.5055 per litre = £4,350,966 divided by £0.5055 = total litres 8,607,253 @4p per litre = £344,290
- Amount of duty paid @ £52.42 per hectolitre or £0.5242 per litre = £19,889 divided by £0.5242 = total litres 37,942 @ 4p per litre = £1,517.67
- Total to climate fund £345,808
The government plan allocated funds from the climate emergency fund to for expenditure in 2020 as set out in CSP5-1-1[3]. These projects are now being delivered as part of government business as usual. Any further expenditure from the Climate Emergency Fund will be agreed through the usual government plan process or through specific amendments agreed by this Assembly as set out in the agreed terms of reference.
The carbon neutral strategy was agreed by this Assembly in February 2020 and set out the process for developing the long-term climate action plan which the climate emergency fund will be used to resource. In light of the impact of COVID-19, we are revising the timeline for the people-powered programme. I will, of course, keep the Assembly updated on this issue, but recognise that the current situation and protection of public health is the priority for all of us at the current time.