Tories plan to sell £1.4bn stake in Green Investment Bank to pay down deficit

Critics including the Greens' Caroline Lucas and Lib Dem Tim Farron question government's 'commitment to low-carbon economy'

The government's commitment to low-carbon technology has been called into question as it prepares to raise more than 1bn by selling a majority stake in the Green Investment Bank, the project that was a central promise in the Conservatives' 2010 manifesto.

Sajid Javid, the business secretary, will announce the plan at the bank's annual review meeting on Thursday. The government is likely to keep a stake in the bank but could sell off as much as 70%.