He argued that a low carbon economy will be the way in which we meet the need to look after our environment and slow climate change. It will also afford us the opportunity to create new jobs and industries, he said, which in turn will need an education system providing the skills to remain internationally competitive and ensure green manufacturing takes place here rather than elsewhere. This requires support in research and in capital investment. The minister went on to warn that the Conservatives would hamper the development of the new economy through the measures they are proposing. These are currently under-publicised and deserve greater attention in the way in which their marriage tax policy has been scrutinised.
Pat McFadden’s speech can be read here