Labour suggests need for more HMG bureaucracy

I see Gavin Shuker is jumping upon suggestions to create an Office of Resource Efficiency. As I have previously said, I don't know what this office would be expected to do beyond working to keep global markets open. This is the best way of securing access to resources.

Mr Shuker also seems unaware that it isn't materials which facilitate growth but innovation. The total material requirement of the UK economy has actually fallen since peaking in 2001, a period during which the economy has grown by almost 50%.

As before, I am unable to conclude from the available evidence that we have a resource scarcity problem. Markets are the best method we have for allocating resources and should be allowed to do their job.