The Wave and Tidal energy sector gets nervous ahead of the E-budget, concerned that funds will suffer as part of anticipated public spending cuts. But should this sector suffer? It's a tough question at a time when the deficit clearly has to be managed and when all areas will feel the squeeze. Historically Britain has an amazing pedigree when it comes to industry and world leading innovation, and should we manage to prove wave and tidal technology at a critical time in the climate crisis, it could be a sound investment on the part of UK plc. However, we already know that public funding for the energy industry will be hard to come by, and therefore given the looming security of supply crisis, would UK plc be better putting their money into proven technology that will stabilise the energy resources for the future. The answer is yes - to both. Somehow both scenarios need to be satisfied. Assuming the government goes ahead with the Green Invesment Bank - funds may become available, and the original discussions said private money would also feature within the GIB initiative. (As an aside, the Wind and Tidal sectors need to remember that they need not reinvent the wheel. Britain has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to engineering in sea conditions (ie. oil & gas industry) so use it! It seems that the oil/gas engineers could have offered advise to prevent some faults recently discovered in Wind turbine towers. Let's not waste that investment).