Dinosaur energy plan

MY wife pays into a local government pension but I think it is being mis-managed.

Recently there have been reports of plans to close Fire Stations, but with grim warning and continuing news of storms and fires around the world (Saddleworth may be recovering but once again storms and abnormal flooding has been causing mayhem elsewhere in the UK, not to mention worldwide) fire and Rescue services are needed more, not less.

Last week we had the shocking news that we need to reach ‘Zero Carbon’- i.e. be taking as much out of the atmosphere as we put in. In the government’s ‘Green Great Britain’ week we have more mixed news.

Scottish Power is selling its final fossil fuel plants and becoming the first major UK energy company to generate all its electricity from wind power instead. They clearly see the way ahead- divesting from fossils and investing in renewables that don’t pollute.

Contrariwise this week we have the start of serious fracking outside Blackpool after several year’s pause since earthquakes attended earlier attempts.

And my wife’s Greater Manchester Pension Fund is involved in continued dinosaur energy businesses, reportedly investing £1bn.

I’ve raised it with councillors and received back a press release that reeks of complacency, claiming 80 per cent of people are happy with their investment/environment balance.

Well, I for one am NOT, nor should any other Greater Manchester resident who may find their council bills rocketing or services slashed to pay pensions if the fund’s investments become stranded.

Ireland recently passed a law compelling its government to divest; our councils should do the same. Worried about Manchester pensions’