EAC to quiz Environment Secretary “at a crucial time to seek some reassurance”

The evidence session comes a week after the Chancellor’s meeting with regulators including Natural England and the Environment Agency, which resulted in an action plan setting out a “radical shake-up” to cut “red tape that blocks new housing and infrastructure”. Some of the initiatives include looking at environmental guidance afresh and delivering a faster and simpler way to agree environmental permits. But does this represent a watering down of environmental commitments, and does it mean that the Government’s targets for nature are more likely to be missed?

In a wide-ranging evidence session on nature and environment policies, topics that Committee members may cover include the following:

• The findings of the Office for Environmental Protection’s most recent annual assessment report, published in January, warning that the Government is off track to meet legally binding targets for nature and the environment in England, such as those on achieving thriving plants and wildlife.
• The current Government review of the 2023 Environmental Improvement Plan, and how Defra is seeking to achieve cross-Whitehall buy in to ensure policies across the whole of Government support improving the environment.
• When the Land Use Framework will be published, and how it will relate to Government plans for delivering emissions reductions from land use.
• Recent Government commitments on air quality strategy and water quality improvements.
• The Government’s commitment to the circular economy and its current priorities for delivering the Resources and Waste Strategy.
• Whether sufficient funding for the delivery of environmental and climate adaptation goals is likely to be allocated during this Parliament.
• The final outcome of the recent COP16 conference and the UK’s role in leading international support for protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030. 

Chair comment

Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Toby Perkins MP, said:

“How will the Government get on top of meeting nature targets? What is its position on the circular economy, air quality and water quality strategies? When will the Land Use Strategy, and Environmental Improvement Plan be published? These important issues are critical to get to the bottom of as they will set the direction for nature and environment policy for the rest of the Parliament and beyond.

“The evidence session comes at a crucial time for environmental policymaking, amid disappointing rhetoric on nature and the environment from the Government. The Committee will be looking to the Environment Secretary for reassurance about the Government’s plans for nature protection and its ambitions to meet key environmental targets.”

 Witnesses

From 4.30pm:

• Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• David Hill, Director General for Strategy and Water, DEFRA
• Sally Randall, Director General for Environment, DEFRA

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: Number 10