29 Oct 2019
The Environment Bill is clearly a response to Brexit but the text is also beginning to include a wide range of other environmental matters not least concerning water and as such it also represents a major opportunity; for example: Water Briefing ‘Government says new Environment Bill will aim to deliver sustainable water resources Defra has published […]
15 Oct 2019
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers ‘The government will today (Tuesday 15 October) introduce a landmark Bill to Parliament to tackle the biggest environmental priorities of our time, signalling a historic step change in the way we protect and enhance our precious natural environment. The transformative Environment Bill will help […]
10 Sep 2019
The last week was remarkable in terms of the political dynamics, but there are practical consequences. Three emerge. Losing Bills The Fisheries Bill and Agriculture Bill are both likely to fall this week. In part because of the proroguing of Parliament and probably compounded by the likelihood of another election. As of Friday afternoon no […]
28 May 2019
Bob Earll blog: With the resignation of Theresa May, and the election for a new Prime Minister a great deal will change. Michael Gove is standing in the election for the next Tory leader and whoever wins it seems likely that there will be a major change of the ministerial team and leadership at Defra. […]
26 Mar 2019
Questioning goes to the heart of the provisions in the Bill on audit and the principles at the heart of sustainability and environmental management. EAC ‘The Environmental Audit Committee examines the proposed Office for Environmental Protection, the environmental principles, Environmental Improvement Plans, collaboration with the devolved administrations and no-deal preparations. Witnesses Wednesday 20 March 2019, […]
19 Mar 2019
Slipped in under the Brexit radar a Bill to create Rivers Authorities with local tax-raising powers progresses through Parliament. The new Rivers Authorities and Land Drainage Bill which will enable the creation of regional Rivers Authorities with local tax-raising powers was debated at Committee stage in the House of Commons this week. Read the debates so […]
14 Mar 2019
Defra ‘The Government has today (13 March) confirmed that new developments must deliver an overall increase in biodiversity. Following our consultation last year, the Chancellor confirmed today in the Spring Statement that the government will use the forthcoming Environment Bill to mandate ‘biodiversity net gain’ – meaning the delivery of much-needed infrastructure and housing is not at the expense […]
19 Jan 2019
The first part of the Environment Bill was published before Christmas and embodies some key elements of how we will frame our environmental activities post Brexit. The speech below by Emma Howard Boyd rightly signals why this is important to everyone working in environmental sector. Read more commentary in the Guardian assessment of the Environment […]
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