Chris Huhne has slammed the inclusion of pivotal climate change laws in a government inquiry into red tape.

Along with 278 environment laws, the 2008 Climate Change Act has been included in the Red Tape Challenge, the Coalition’s review to cull excess legislation. Once the process ends, MPs will decide if laws need to be scrapped.

The Energy Secretary told fellow Lib Dems at a Social Liberal Forum event over the weekend: “Whatever the good intent, we have mistakenly given the impression that an exercise designed to scrap unnecessary minor bureaucratic hurdles is now placing the cornerstone of climate protection under threat.”

Environmental campaigners have likewise seen the inclusion of the Climate Change Act in the review with alarm.

A spokesperson for the Government told ELN: “The Red Tape Challenge gives the public the opportunity to have a say on legislation they deal with on a daily basis. The point is to identify obsolete rules that could hamper growth. The Climate Change Act is here to stay.”