BBC ‘The Queen’s Speech looks likely to set out an ambitious programme of legislation including the much-delayed Environment Bill on post-Brexit rules for protecting nature, and the controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which sparked protests when it was debated by MPs earlier this year.’  It is the Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill that is aimed at curbing demonstrations of the sort mounted by Extinction Rebellion.

Wildlife & Countryside Link: ‘The Environment Bill – will you nae come back again?
It has been nearly 100 days since the Environment Bill was paused in the House of Commons – and over 18 months since it was first introduced to Parliament. Ahead of the Queens Speech on 11 May, the hope and expectation is that this coming session of Parliament might at last be the one that sees the Environment Bill complete its long journey to the statue book. The altered timing of the Bill seems likely to lead to one silver lining; its critical stages will take place in the immediate run up to COP26 and CBD. This is the spotlight moment for nature, and the role a restored natural world can play in staving off ecological and climate disaster. The campaign calling on the Government to seize this unique moment, by a placing State of Nature target on the face of the Environment Bill to reverse the decline of species and habitats in England by 2030, continues to grow. April 1st saw MPs receive a ‘newspaper from the future’, reporting on the joys recovered nature would bring, from sparkling seas to soaring farm profits. This year’s April Fool could be 2030’s reality – starting with the returning of the Environment Bill.’

Ruth Chambers of the Green Alliance writes: The return of the Environment Bill is the acid test of the government’s green promises

The new parliamentary session which starts on 11 May will be a crucial one for the environment. In this ‘super year’ of major international nature and climate summits, parliament will debate and pass the first dedicated Environment Bill for over twenty years.

Legislation is often regarded drily, with its provisions and measures firmly remaining the domain of lawyers. But the Environment Bill has evaded this technocratic fate and become both a bellwether of government intent and a critical staging post in the battle to reverse the decline in biodiversity and tackle the critical challenges of air and water pollution.