1 February 2008

Aggregates Fund Commitment will Help Target Carbon

QPA, the principal trade body for the quarry products sector, has welcomed Defra's consultation into future priorities for the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF). The consultation underlines a commitment from government to safeguard the vital funding stream at a level of £24m pa for three years. The paper itself also acknowledges the QPA's calls for a carbon reduction allocation within the fund, helping to address a key priority for the sector.

With no commitment to the fund identified in either the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review or Pre Budget Report, the launch of the ALSF consultation now ends a period of speculation over its future. Interested parties have the opportunity to comment on the proposed structure of the fund before the 28 April deadline.

Simon van der Byl, Director General of QPA, explained the significance of the consultation: "we are delighted that the ALSF has now received commitment from Government and are similarly pleased to see that QPA's calls for a carbon reduction element within the fund have been answered. QPA believes that ALSF is the only means by which the Aggregates Levy can generate real sustianability benefits, so a fresh guarantee for its future ensures that the good work that is funded through ALSF can continue. The specific reference to carbon reduction within the allocations indicates a willingness from government to listen to industry and engage with us on the key issues for the sector."

ENDS

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