Environment Bill- Reporting Back

In Parliament this week, the Government’s ambitious Environment Bill will receive its second reading. As the MP for Norwich North I will be supporting this comprehensive Bill and I wanted to take the time to update constituents on the contents of this vitally important piece of legislation.

The Environment Bill will help deliver the Government’s manifesto commitment to bringing forward the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth.

This Bill is one of the key mechanisms through which the Government will implement the bold vision set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan. You can find more details about the 25-year plan and its contents by going to the below link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan

The Environment Bill focuses on seven key policy areas:

·         Improving environmental governance

·         Providing a new direction for resources and waste management

·         Improving air quality

·         Delivering sustainable water resources

·         Restoring and enhancing green spaces

·         A stronger role for local authorities

·         Improving chemicals regulation

More broadly, the ground-breaking Bill will enshrine environmental principles in law and introduce measures to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive.

The Bill will include a new commitment to review the biggest developments in environmental legislation from around the world every other year. The Government will then use these findings in considering the UK’s own environmental plans.

You can find more details about the Environment Bill by going to the below link.

https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2019-21/environment.html

This week I will also be meeting with Norwich City Council (Friday 28^th February) to discuss air quality in Norwich. I want to ensure that all local authorities, including Norwich City Council, take full advantage of the provisions made available in the Environment Bill to improve our air quality.

As the MP for Norwich North I welcome this Government’s environmental action and ambition. I’m keen to bring public bodies together to get things done. I will continue to work in Parliament to help make this possible and make our air better in Norwich.