The government has announced that its target to reduce storm overflows will be enshrined in law. The Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, published in August 2022, set out stringent targets to protect people and the environment, backed up by up to £56 billion capital investment – the largest infrastructure programme in water company history. But opposition […]
The government has published its revamped net zero strategy. However, Powering Up Britain is rather more focused on energy security than net zero. The government view: Ambitious plans to scale up affordable, clean, homegrown power and build thriving green industries in Britain have been unveiled by the government today (Thursday 30 March) – boosting the […]
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has unveiled his Spring Budget, introducing fresh funding for carbon capture technologies, reclassifying nuclear as a “sustainable” energy option and extending energy efficiency relief for households, as a part of an ongoing effort to halve inflation, grow the economy and reduce debt. But last week’s Budget will do little to meet the […]
Shadow environment secretary Jim McMahon said Labour will set out at its party conference in September “a position that would clean up the water industry in this country, deliver value for money for consumers and bill payers, and finally work in the national interest”. Shadow defence and education minster Stephen Morgan shared: “Labour’s plan to […]
Environmental principles policy statement Defra has published the final version of its environmental principles policy statement, to which ministers will have to have “due regard” when making policy. The statement set out that policymakers should apply the following five environmental principles to support environmental protection and enhancement: the integration principle the prevention principle the rectification […]
The government has announced that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is to be broken up as part of Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet reshuffle. The prime minister has unveiled a new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which will be led by Grant Shapps, previously the BEIS secretary. This could help prioritise […]
The government has published its long-awaited “five-year delivery plan to restore nature and improve the environmental quality of the air, our waters and our land”. Key aspects include Every household to be be within a 15-minute walk of a green space or water. A commitment to restore at least 500,000 hectares (1.2m acres) of wildlife habitat, […]
Government’s progress on delivery of its 25 year plan to improve the environment has ‘fallen far short’ and opportunities to change course must be taken. The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) presents here its independent assessment of Government’s progress in improving the natural environment in accordance with its Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) for England in […]