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Environmental Improvement Plan 2023
01 February 2023
Lead MP
Therese Coffey
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
ClimateAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Therese Coffey raised concerns about environmental improvement plan 2023 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister announced a new environmental improvement plan to halt the decline of nature by the end of this decade. She highlighted several initiatives already underway, including legally binding targets for air and river cleanliness, support for farmers to help nature regain health, tree planting increases, water quality improvements, and global efforts to protect marine life and habitats through various funds and programmes. The statement also emphasised the importance of reconnecting with nature post-pandemic, improving access to green spaces, and tackling pollution issues such as sewage discharge and plastic waste. She outlined a commitment to embedding biodiversity considerations into government decision-making for the long term.
Question
The Q&A session details are not provided in the given text.
Minister reply
The Q&A session details are not provided in the given text.
Question
Critiqued the Government's environmental track record, highlighting sewage spills and regulatory resource cuts. Questioned the five-year assessment delay for SSSIs, lack of species reintroduction plans, reliance on ELMs, and stance on EU retained laws.
Minister reply
Acknowledged ongoing issues but emphasised legislative requirements and individual SSSI assessments. Discussed chemicals strategy, progress with farmers, and continued review of EU regulations.
Question
Asked about improving plastic waste export situation through extended producer responsibility (EPR) reforms and setting a date for phasing out plastic waste exports to countries with lower standards.
Minister reply
Noted rigorous OECD process for plastic waste exports but will investigate non-compliance. Emphasised work on EPR reforms to reduce single-use plastics.
Question
Questioned consistency of environmental policy-making given recent neonicotinoid pesticide authorisations, despite expert committee concerns.
Minister reply
Confirmed biodiversity duty commencement and publication of the environmental principles policy statement. Detailed careful consideration process for neonicotinoids with threshold restrictions.
Philip Dunne
Con
Charnwood
Question
I warmly welcome the incredible amount of work that the Secretary of State and her team, fresh into post, have put into the five-year environmental improvement plan. This is a holistic, comprehensive update of the 25-year environment plan, and it introduces for the first time a whole slew of targets and interim targets on the journey to where we wish to get to in the next 20 years.
Minister reply
I thank my right hon. Friend for that. He is absolutely right to say that a lot of effort has gone into this review. This is not just about the environment but critical to the global web of life. On the chemical status of water, we have reviewed chemicals such as mercury which affected water bodies' good status. We are getting water companies to tighten up and clean up waste water treatments through strategic policy statements and things like the Water Industry National Environment Programme.
Geraint Davies
Lab
Croydon North
Question
Yesterday I introduced the Clean Air Bill, which would require us to reach World Health Organisation air quality standards for PM2.5 of 10 micrograms per cubic metre by 2030, in alignment with the ambition of the EU. Yet today, five years into the 25-year plan, the Secretary of State comes along and extends that another 10 years to 2040. How many extra avoidable lives will be lost due to that? What will she do to bring forward that target to 2030?
Minister reply
I am conscious of the hon. Gentleman’s passion on this issue and know his long-standing interest in air quality. The focus was initially on NOx, but now PM2.5 is a priority. I introduced a ban on smoky coal and wet wood sales to address PM2.5 issues. While I would love for the target to be 2030, the Environment Act 2021 requires me to believe it is achievable by 2040. If we can go quicker in future reviews, I will ensure that they are changed.
Bill Wiggin
Con
North Herefordshire
Question
May I say a huge thank you to my right hon. Friend and extend a big, grateful Herefordshire hug to her for this excellent plan? Will she meet me to discuss the Environment Agency’s permitting department, which I believe is struggling, the rivers Lugg and Wye, and how we will deliver through the work that farmers do?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I would be delighted to meet him and bring along the farming Minister and the water Minister because this involves different agencies coming together with our farmers. We need to think through how we can improve run-off capture, and money is available to farmers for activities like slurry storage.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
I want to declare an interest: I am a trustee of the small charity, Fields in Trust, that works with some local authorities in trying to achieve the target of no household being more than 15 minutes away from green space. Before Christmas, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities introduced a consultation on changes to the national planning policy framework requiring major urban areas to have a 35% uplift to their house building targets. If in implementing that uplift authorities find that they cannot deliver the Government’s target of everyone being within 15 minutes of green space, do they follow the uplift or follow the aspiration on green space?
Minister reply
I hold the Chairman of the Select Committee in high regard. We need to build more homes and prioritise brownfield sites while also ensuring access to green spaces through programmes like biodiversity net gain.
Selaine Saxby
Con
North Devon
Question
I thank my right hon. Friend for her statement. In my constituency, we have seen a dramatic reduction in the number of storm overflows released on to our beautiful beaches. Analysis has shown that the only way to completely eliminate sewage overflows is to dig up and replace 60,000 miles of old pipes with two separated systems or build the equivalent of 40,000 Olympic swimming pools of storage. Does my right hon. Friend know which option the Lib Dems claim they would deliver?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is a very good champion for her constituents and nature. She is right to champion our improvements on sewage. The Liberal Democrats often say one thing to get elected and do the opposite when in power.
Anna McMorrin
Lab
Cardiff North
Question
The Government’s own regulator, the Office for Environmental Protection, has found that this Government are seriously failing on every one of the goals set out in their own 25-year environment plan. What are the Government going to do differently in order to deliver these commitments?
Minister reply
I recognise what the hon. Lady has said and was disappointed by the OEP's statements. However, this is a delivery plan with complementary goals that require targets which have now been set.
Damian Green
Con
Ashford
Question
There are very many farmers in my constituency who love the Kentish countryside and are proud to be custodians of it for this generation. At the same time, they have to run profitable businesses, producing and selling good, healthy food. Can my right hon. Friend assure me and them that the new scheme has enough strength behind it to enable them to run viable businesses and to continue to protect and enhance Kent’s beautiful countryside?
Minister reply
I congratulate my right hon. Friend for standing up for his farmers. The same amount of money is being dedicated to supporting our farmers and landowners as part of a transition journey offering opportunities for Government funding to ensure sustainable, profitable businesses.
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Question
The Office for Environmental Protection highlighted the need for better alignment and coordination at all levels of government, including Whitehall. How will the Secretary of State ensure that these plans are delivered across Whitehall? Does she have the clout and backing of the Treasury?
Minister reply
We passed the Environment Act 2021 which includes a biodiversity duty commenced from January 1st. We aim to work with local government, individuals, and businesses for better coordination. The Department encourages councils to use their powers effectively through local nature recovery strategies.
Question
The Secretary of State is urged to ensure the delivery of manifesto targets such as 13,000 hectares of tree planting each year and halting species decline by 2030.
Minister reply
We are trying to increase opportunities for tree planting through initiatives like the woodland creation offer and changes in law that will help accelerate tree planting.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Question
With cuts to farmers' basic payments, how will the Government support those forced out of business to deliver environmental improvements?
Minister reply
We have continued with £2.4 billion in available funding for a sustainable transition and are targeting money towards paying farmers for eco-services, ensuring they can maintain their businesses sustainably.
Question
How will the actions taken by the Secretary of State further reduce sewage and dangerous chemicals pumped into rivers like the River Medway?
Minister reply
We are monitoring storm overflows on the River Medway regularly. The Department is holding water companies accountable and investment will start flowing as part of an impending price review.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Question
Is there a plan to introduce swift bricks in buildings despite them not being included in the current environmental improvement plan?
Minister reply
I am aware of swift boxes and their importance. Guidance from DLUHC talks about safe spaces for nature in urban environments, and our Department will continue to focus on air quality issues prevalent in urban settings.
Question
Will the Secretary of State back a campaign to give accredited bathing water quality status to the River Nidd at the lido in Knaresborough?
Minister reply
Improving river water quality is important. The case for including the River Nidd as an inland bathing water will be considered carefully.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
What discussions have taken place with officials from DAERA to ensure protection of 30% of land and sea, including through marine protected areas, is extended to Northern Ireland?
Minister reply
We brought together the four nations of the UK in preparation for CBD COP15. We will continue to work closely with officials on this matter.
Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that claims by Opposition parties about 15 more years of sewage dumping are false and a bit rich?
Minister reply
I assure my hon. Friend that we will continue to support her in enhancing the quality of beaches off Southend-on-Sea, including supporting local industries like cockling.
Simon Jupp
Con
Truro and Falmouth
Question
I warmly congratulate my right hon. Friend and her team on today’s announcement of the plan. Devon’s farmers produce some of the best food and drink in the world; I should know, having sampled a fair bit of it. They are custodians of our countryside and have been for generations, and we owe them a debt of gratitude and certainty. Will my right hon. Friend explain how this plan will help them to go on producing fantastic food throughout the south-west?
Minister reply
There is great food in a number of counties, and I do not want to come between Devon and Cornish MPs about who has the right pasty or where cream should go on a scone, but I will say to my hon. Friend that it is very important for us to involve farmers and landowners in improving our natural environment. The Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries has been very active in responding to the issues that they have raised. We are opening up many more activities that will allow us to pay farmers to improve soil quality and integrated pest management.
Philip Hollobone
Con
Kettering
Question
I thank the Secretary of State, and the Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Rebecca Pow), for the tremendously hard work they have put into developing this world-leading environmental improvement plan. Local residents in the Kettering constituency are keen to support any measures to protect, preserve or enhance our natural environment. Does my right hon. Friend agree that (a) nature has been neglected for far too long, (b) environmental and agricultural policies were returned to this country as a result of Brexit, and (c) she is drawing on (b) to fix (a) so that we can clean our waters, tackle air pollution and increase biodiversity?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend sums it up perfectly. By leaving the European Union, we have removed ourselves from the constraints—the handcuffs—of the common agricultural policy. We have developed a policy in England to translate into sustainable food production and improving the environment. The Lords are about to pass the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill, which will allow us to develop climate change-resilient wheat.
Richard Fuller
Con
North Bedfordshire
Question
Going back to the Victorian era when the water companies were putting in their pipes, they did not take action on sewage overflow. Perhaps they should have. In the 13 years that the Labour Government were in office, they took no action on sewage overflow. Perhaps they should have. This Government are taking action on sewage overflow, but doing so will cost tens of billions of pounds of investment. Therefore, does my right hon. Friend agree that it is right to work within the constructs of this environmental plan and other environmental plans to achieve that long-term change?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is spot on. We identified the issue early on, with Lord Benyon spotting it as a DEFRA Minister. The monitoring will be in place completely by the end of this year so we can focus on sorting out the unacceptable sewage problem. It will cost tens of billions of pounds, but some previous proposals would have added at least £800 to people’s water bills.
Mark Pawsey
Con
Rugby
Question
I draw attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. The Secretary of State will know that the packaging sector and its customers welcome the measures in the plan to reduce littering and increase recycling rates. Does she agree that they will be at their most effective if they are introduced consistently and at the same time across all countries of the UK?
Minister reply
I understand the point my hon. Friend is trying to make. We have to make progress in this country, but we need consistency in the recycling process alongside the introduction of the EPR while ensuring we deliver our recycling targets set by law.
Rother Valley
Question
I was pleased to see that the environmental improvement plan included the Lapwing estate near Bawtry, which is on the border of Rother Valley, as a case study. This 5,000-acre piece of land will abate emissions, store carbon and produce food. It is funded partly by the Government. Can the Secretary of State confirm that she will continue to fund such projects across South Yorkshire and in Rother Valley to store our carbon, secure our food supplies and support our local rural communities?
Minister reply
Indeed, there are a number of funding streams, including our nature for climate fund. We will continue to ensure that activities doing good things for the environment are rewarded as we make the transition to environmental land management schemes.
Shadow Comment
Alex Sobel
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Minister criticised the Government's poor delivery on environmental promises, highlighting issues such as sewage spills under the previous water Minister and regulatory cuts. He questioned the new plan's lack of immediate action for sites of special scientific interest and reintroducing species to aid nature recovery. The response also pointed out the reliance on voluntary cooperation with farmers through ELMs, inadequate handling of Dartmoor access threats, and the absence of a clear enforcement mechanism against retained EU environmental regulations. Sobel emphasised Labour's intention to introduce a comprehensive clean air Act and expand green space access.
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