UK 'could benefit from being green leader'

The UK could derive huge benefits from becoming a world leader in developing a low carbon economy, one charity has claimed.

Environmental campaigning group Friends of the Earth has posited that the government should make it cheaper and easier for people to "go green", the Independent reports.

Mike Childs, Friends of the Earth's head of campaigns, commented that the UK government should introduce a range of measures to help people reduce their energy consumption and switch to renewable energy sources, as well as cut bills.

"If the UK became a genuine leader in developing a low carbon economy, the economic and employment benefits would be huge," he said.

This comes as the government is expected to unveil plans to expand green energy use, encourage homeowners to buy into microgeneration and create energy saving and renewable power packages for hard-pressed families.

According to the People, some £1,500 worth of environmentally-friendly devices, such as solar panels, wind turbines and microgenerators will be given to the lowest income families.