OTLEY’S MP is backing a a new campaign that is calling for an end to ‘dirty biomass’ subsidies.

Cut Carbon, Not Forests aims to highlight how the UK is subsidising companies that burn trees for electricity. The group - a coalition of environmental advocacy organisations - is urging policy-makers to redirect the money into renewable energy projects.

The UK is the largest user of biomass electricity in Europe which is backed by more than £1 billion a year in government subsidies.

Cut Carbon, Not Forests, however, claims that burning wood in power stations is a ‘false climate solution’ and that much of the wood that is used has been shipped in from sensitive forests overseas.

MP Alex Sobel (Lab, Leeds North West) said: “Not enough government support is being provided for clean coal solutions. We need sustainable energy programmes for the future and the Government must step up and fund them.”