Ethical spending rose in 2014 but solar cuts could hit this year's figures

Value of sales for a sector that spans charity shops, vegetarian food and energy efficient lightbulbs, rose to 38bn in 2014

Stronger sales of solar panels, electric cars and free-range poultry helped to grow the UK's overall "ethical market" by 8% in 2014, a new report claims.

However, the report's authors warned that recent government changes such as cuts to subsidies for householders installing rooftop solar panels would make it tougher to repeat this growth in spending on low carbon home energy and cars.