Hard data blows apart UK rhetoric on leading the way to a green economy

Even if the optimists are right and the picture is brighter than the ONS suggests, there's still a long way to go

The government has big plans for the green economy. There are targets galore: 2m skilled jobs by 2030, sale of petrol and diesel cars to be phased out by 2035, a net zero carbon economy by 2050.

Having been the birthplace of the first industrial revolution in the 18th century, the idea is that the UK can again lead the way in the next phase of technological development. There is a 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution as a statement of intent.