Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Office for Environmental Protection

Thursday 4 March 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Office for Environmental Protection is being established to improve environmental and agricultural standards post-Brexit.
  • The interim Office for Environmental Protection will assess the Government's progress on the 25-year environment plan and handle complaints regarding environmental law compliance.
  • Steps are being taken to implement measures within the Environment Bill, including the appointment of Dame Glenys Stacey as Chair of OEP and the formation of working groups.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Clarkson
Environment
Context

No specific background context or events are mentioned, but it relates to establishing a new office post-Brexit.

Question

What recent progress has been made on establishing the Office for Environmental Protection?

Answer from George Eustice

Now that we have left the European Union, we have the opportunity to do things better. We will innovate and improve our environmental and agricultural standards, enabling us to identify where we can deliver better environmental outcomes more effectively and in ways that better align with our regulatory systems.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The progress on establishing the Office for Environmental Protection was not specifically addressed. Instead, general improvements were mentioned.

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Q2 Mary Robinson Con
Environment
Context

The importance of the environment during lockdown has been highlighted by improved air quality and access to green spaces.

Question

Lockdown has highlighted the importance of our environment, with positive effects on good air quality, access to green spaces, and connecting with nature for health and wellbeing. Will the Secretary of State elaborate on the remit of the new independent regulator and what the interim Office for Environmental Protection will be able to do to maintain important protections as we seek to enhance and protect our natural environment?

Answer from George Eustice

My hon. Friend makes an important point. The interim OEP will be able to produce an independent assessment of the Government's progress towards their 25-year environment plan, receive complaints about failures of public authorities to comply with environmental law, take decisions on operational matters such as recruitment, accommodation and facilities; develop the OEP strategy including its enforcement policy, determine approaches to how the OEP will form and operate.

Answered
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Q3 Chris Clarkson
Environment
Context

The question follows from the previous discussion on environmental protection and highlights the importance of natural environment in Greater Manchester.

Question

I associate myself with the comments made by my hon. Friend regarding the environment's significance, especially for constituents in Greater Manchester who value their natural surroundings highly. What steps is my right hon. Friend taking to implement measures within the Environment Bill before Royal Assent?

Answer from George Eustice

My hon. Friend makes an important point. Although the timetable for the Environment Bill has slipped by a few months, we are working at pace to implement policies and measures behind it. We have announced Dame Glenys Stacey as Chair of OEP and set up working groups; consultations on packaging and waste collection reforms are also being launched.

Answered
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Q4 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Brexit Environment
Context

There is confusion about the weakening of the Environment Bill in Committee by voting down cross-party amendments aimed at strengthening protections.

Question

As we are no longer a member of the European Union, it is crucial that all steps ensure UK has strong environmental protections. The weakening of the Environment Bill in Committee through voting down amendments to strengthen OEP prompts confusion among many MPs and constituents. When the Environment Bill returns to the House, will the Secretary of State support measures to make OEP fit for purpose?

Answer from George Eustice

I believe it is fit for purpose. We have set up an independent Office for Environmental Protection with powers to investigate, bring judicial reviews, follow up on complaints of law breaking, and develop targets and comments on progress towards them.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not confirm support for specific steps but stated the OEP is fit for purpose.

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