Covid proves that the money is there to be spent in a crisis

The response of those who govern, whether nationally or locally, to something they don't like is to say that it cannot be afforded. It is instructive to recall, a year on, some of the hysteria that greeted the Labour Party' s. transformative election manifesto, costed at £80 billion.The critics claimed it could not be afforded. Yet, less than a year later, the Bank of England pumped £150 billion into propping up the British economy. The government has so far put £291 billion into supporting the British economy during the Covid crisis - it is all relative. The same Conservative government recently announced that it could no longer fund the previous commitment of 0.7 % of GDP to support the poorest in the world via the overseas aid budget. The cut will see the aid budget reduced from £15 billion (0.7%) to £10 billion (0.5%). This is another tokenistic gesture from the Conservative Government toward the UKIP agenda of chauvinstic nationalism that has taken over the national psyche and will damage us all in the long term. What the Covid crisis proves is that spending is all a matter of priority. The real trick is to spend the money before crisis hits. As previously discussed in this column our present way of living invites crisis after crisis. Covid emerged from destruction of the ecosystem. The vaccines may deal with Covid but if we go on destroying the ecosystem, another virus will be along soon causing equal if not more devastation. If future problems are to be avoided, action needs to be taken now. There are some encouraging signs, like the government's efforts to roll out Low Traffic Neighourhoods. Also, the commitment to eliminate petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. The desire to phase out fossil fuel dependency. Plans for mass tree planting and rewilding. These are all good signs but more needs to be done and quickly. We need to convert to a totally green economy, majoring on the likes of renewable technologies. At local level there needs to be greater boldness in engaging with the challenge of creating real green economies. It is no good talking the talk but failng to walk the walk. Some might see it all as a cynical exercise in avoiding what really needs to be done to secure the future for our children and children's children. Action needs to be taken now not when political priorities regard it as appropriate or affordable.