Environment Bill passes second reading by MPs unopposed and will now progress to Committee stage
The Government’s landmark Environment Bill to tackle the biggest environmental priorities of our time has moved a step closer to becoming law following its second reading by MPs (Monday 28 October).
After the debate, the Bill now progress to the Committee stage for further scrutiny and onto the next stages of the Parliamentary process for becoming law.
The transformative Environment Bill, introduced to Parliament two weeks ago, will help ensure that we maintain and improve our environmental protections as we leave the EU.
The Bill will build on the UK’s strong track record and sets out a comprehensive and world-leading vision to allow future generations to prosper. Environmental principles will be enshrined in law and measures will be introduced to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats so plants and wildlife can thrive.
The legislation will also create legally-binding environmental improvement targets. A new independent Office for Environmental Protection will be established to scrutinise environmental policy and law, investigate complaints and take enforcement action against public authorities, if necessary, to uphold our environmental standards.
The office’s remit will include all climate change legislation, enabling the office to hold the government to account on its commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. By also championing nature-based solutions, the Bill demonstrates our commitment to tackle climate change.
The Bill also places the bold ambition of our flagship 25 Year Environment Plan on a statutory footing and grants powers to enhance nature and habitats and combat the devastating effects of plastics on our natural environment. Introducing charges for a number of single-use plastic items will build on the success of the government’s 5p plastic bag charge, which has cut sales from the biggest supermarkets by 90% since 2015.
Opening the second reading, Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said:
During the debate, many MPs expressed support for the Bill but raised points about the Office for Environmental Protection’s independence and funding, as well as how the targets system will work. Air quality, water and plastics were also discussed.
Closing the debate, Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:
Extensive and continued collaboration with the Scottish and Welsh Governments and the Northern Ireland Civil Service has also enabled us to bring forward measures that we expect to see adopted outside of England, for example, measures which aim to increase recycling rates. We will continue to work with them as the Bill progresses through Parliament.