πΏ Prime time pre-dinner slot for the environment in today's @UKHouseofLords debate on the govt's plans for retained EU law.
πΊ Tune in to the debate π
π¬ Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville kicks off with a plea to save nature protection laws.
parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/0aβ¦
πΊ Tune in to the debate π
π¬ Baroness Bakewell of Hardington Mandeville kicks off with a plea to save nature protection laws.
parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/0aβ¦
π Baroness Bakewell also highlights the threats to laws that protect our rivers and bathing waters.
π’ @this_damselfly from @WildlifeTrusts explains why these laws matter to nature and people.
wildlifetrusts.org/blog/ali-morseβ¦
π’ @this_damselfly from @WildlifeTrusts explains why these laws matter to nature and people.
wildlifetrusts.org/blog/ali-morseβ¦
ποΈ Dispatch box comments can get forgotten by new ministers says Baroness Bakewell
"...to have full confidence that the govt will do what it says there have to be clauses which ensure full legal protection"
π We agree in our @GreenerUK_ @WCL_News brief
greeneruk.org/sites/default/β¦
"...to have full confidence that the govt will do what it says there have to be clauses which ensure full legal protection"
π We agree in our @GreenerUK_ @WCL_News brief
greeneruk.org/sites/default/β¦
π @SueHayman1 presses the government to accept her amendment so that important environmental protections do not accidentally fall at the end of this year.
π¦ These include laws to protect nature, air, water, animals and seas as @mcsuk explains π
mcsuk.org/news/uk-seas-wβ¦
π¦ These include laws to protect nature, air, water, animals and seas as @mcsuk explains π
mcsuk.org/news/uk-seas-wβ¦
π¦ Now @SueHayman1 raises concerns about the impact of reviewing 1,781 laws on @DefraGovUK budget and priorities.
π¨ @kateparminter welcomes ministers' intention to retain laws by default. But ministerial desires to amend laws risk deregulation if done through this bill.
π¨ @kateparminter welcomes ministers' intention to retain laws by default. But ministerial desires to amend laws risk deregulation if done through this bill.
π¦@kateparminter makes the excellent point that the #EnvironmentAct already has sensible powers to revise and update laws protecting nature and water.
So why does govt need these powers in the REUL Bill?
So why does govt need these powers in the REUL Bill?
β Crossbench Peer Lord Krebs highlights the uncertainty the bill is already provoking, even before it has become law.
π Laws that safeguard the environment often also protect human health.
π Lord Hope highlights enviro gaps in the govt dashboard, especially on devolved laws.
π Laws that safeguard the environment often also protect human health.
π Lord Hope highlights enviro gaps in the govt dashboard, especially on devolved laws.
π° Defra is a department with a big 'to do' list and some basic activities suffering delay, before REUL commandeers budgets and workloads,
π Here's the recent stats on speed of departments answering parliamentary questions.
π Here's the recent stats on speed of departments answering parliamentary questions.
πͺ @youngb48 argues that exempting laws from the sunset is "a last ditch attempt to salvage something from what is a pretty appalling bill".
The deregulatory thrust and lack of consultation are arguably greater threats.
π Couldn't agree more!
The deregulatory thrust and lack of consultation are arguably greater threats.
π Couldn't agree more!
π The Duke of Wellington adds his voice to those calling for water quality laws to be protected.
π© "It's a complete disgrace that sewage is still being discharged on to our beaches."
π Losing laws that protect our water quality would hold back progress on tackling this.
π© "It's a complete disgrace that sewage is still being discharged on to our beaches."
π Losing laws that protect our water quality would hold back progress on tackling this.
π Crossbench Peer & veterinary expert Lord Trees calls on the govt to keep the 'REACH' regulations which protect people and animals from hazardous chemicals, plus laws that protect the welfare of farmed animals.
π A big list is building for @RichardHRBenyon to respond to.
π A big list is building for @RichardHRBenyon to respond to.
π Lord Inglewood focuses on the impact of the bill on those who manage land.
π³οΈ They need certainty but the bill is precisely the opposite and instead we are looking into a void.
π The sunset needs to go.
π³οΈ They need certainty but the bill is precisely the opposite and instead we are looking into a void.
π The sunset needs to go.
π°οΈ For any clock watchers tuning in...
π Supper is looming
βοΈ The bill is now seriously behind schedule
π Unless Peers (and the rest of us) sit all night, extra days of Committee are inevitable...
π Supper is looming
βοΈ The bill is now seriously behind schedule
π Unless Peers (and the rest of us) sit all night, extra days of Committee are inevitable...
A common theme of the debate is the respect Peers have for @RichardHRBenyon and his undoubted commitment to the environment.
Lord Cormack rightly laments the loss of much loved & once common species.
He mentions starlings (although we do have lots in Woolwich public market π)
Lord Cormack rightly laments the loss of much loved & once common species.
He mentions starlings (although we do have lots in Woolwich public market π)
@RichardHRBenyon Lord Kerr says the public will be very concerned once it realises what is at risk under this bill.
Could the #attackonnature return?
This is in govt's hands to solve.
@RishiSunak @theresecoffey @KemiBadenoch
Let's work together on a common sense way forward π
Could the #attackonnature return?
This is in govt's hands to solve.
@RishiSunak @theresecoffey @KemiBadenoch
Let's work together on a common sense way forward π
Conservative Peer @rosaltmann rises to ask the obvious question - if a carve out is possible for financial services why not the environment?
How will we offset laws against each other?
(Me: The Clause 15 'burdens test' is an absolute nonsense.)
How will we offset laws against each other?
(Me: The Clause 15 'burdens test' is an absolute nonsense.)
Only one Peer expressed a different view to the string of cross party voices who expressed concern on the direction of travel on the bill for environmental issues.
π€ Sometimes govt whips ask backbenchers to support the govt line.
π§Ύ We'll make contact to present our evidence.
π€ Sometimes govt whips ask backbenchers to support the govt line.
π§Ύ We'll make contact to present our evidence.
β° Despite the late hour, @natalieben makes a typically barnstorming speech.
π Quoting from @WCL_News @mcsuk she says the bill will allow the sun to set on the prospects of a healthy environment and the businesses it supports.
π Quoting from @WCL_News @mcsuk she says the bill will allow the sun to set on the prospects of a healthy environment and the businesses it supports.
𦑠Lord Krebs intervenes to clarify the important distinction between what laws say and how they are implemented.
ποΈ The habitats regulations, for example, are often castigated as holding back development when in truth other factors are the culprit.
ποΈ The habitats regulations, for example, are often castigated as holding back development when in truth other factors are the culprit.
A stand out moment when Lord Clarke of Nottingham reminds @BrexitStewart of the deregulatory origins of the bill and points out that common sense can - and must - prevail, as it did indeed yesterday on NI.
Phew @RichardHRBenyon is now responding to this very thorough debate π
The public respects good regulation which pushes out the bad actors and it gives clarity.
Economic growth depends on a healthy environment.
Many former EU regs were very good and we want to retain them.
The public respects good regulation which pushes out the bad actors and it gives clarity.
Economic growth depends on a healthy environment.
Many former EU regs were very good and we want to retain them.
@RichardHRBenyon More from Lord Benyon
The govt is committed to reverse the decline in biodiversity.
All roads in Defra lead towards our land use framework.
At this point he perhaps swaps his own notes for those from 'the box' (govt officials who provide lines for ministers during debates).
The govt is committed to reverse the decline in biodiversity.
All roads in Defra lead towards our land use framework.
At this point he perhaps swaps his own notes for those from 'the box' (govt officials who provide lines for ministers during debates).
Lord Benyon reiterates the default position of Defra ministers is to retain EU law unless there's good reason not to.
He's quizzed though on details. Sunset extensions will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Lord Fox asks how much departmental resource will this take?
He's quizzed though on details. Sunset extensions will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Lord Fox asks how much departmental resource will this take?
We encounter the same dodge that parliamentary questions encounter on costs.
Hard to answer but there is a core team working on REUL.
@SueHayman1 asks why Treasury regulations are exempt but not Defra?
Lord Hope highlights the importance of specificity. @AnneCMcIntosh agrees.
Hard to answer but there is a core team working on REUL.
@SueHayman1 asks why Treasury regulations are exempt but not Defra?
Lord Hope highlights the importance of specificity. @AnneCMcIntosh agrees.
Lord Benyon confirms the government respects the significance of the water framework directive and reforms to retained EU law will not come at the expense of our already high environmental standards.
Lord Clarke argues these undertakings should be on the face of the bill.
Lord Clarke argues these undertakings should be on the face of the bill.
Lord Benyon refers to the yearning in this country for higher environmental standards.
This is all pointing to an irrefutable case for environmental safeguards to be included in the bill.
Lord Benyon says we want higher environmental standards. Yes, Richard so #putitinthebill
This is all pointing to an irrefutable case for environmental safeguards to be included in the bill.
Lord Benyon says we want higher environmental standards. Yes, Richard so #putitinthebill
Lord Kerr welcomes Lord Benyon's "excelsior" position of setting higher environmental standards.
He rightly brings us back down to earth via Cl. 15(5) which "doesn't seem to fit terribly well with the drive for ever higher standards."
This crux issue must be addressed.
He rightly brings us back down to earth via Cl. 15(5) which "doesn't seem to fit terribly well with the drive for ever higher standards."
This crux issue must be addressed.
Lord Benyon says "The Environment Act is not just warn words."
Absolutely, which is why its powers to update laws on nature, water and chemicals are supremely preferable to the open ended powers in the REUL Bill.
Absolutely, which is why its powers to update laws on nature, water and chemicals are supremely preferable to the open ended powers in the REUL Bill.
Lord Benyon says science will underpin the government's approach on retained EU law.
Hopefully this doesn't mean that the self contained and small science advisory council is the only source of advice on what Defra places in its 'buckets'...?
Hopefully this doesn't mean that the self contained and small science advisory council is the only source of advice on what Defra places in its 'buckets'...?
"We have got the resources we need to carry out this work" says Lord Benyon.
A Peer asks what more productive use could those resources be put to?
Baroness Andrews says the Defra default position is to retain but the bill requires it to revoke by default.
β Which is true?
A Peer asks what more productive use could those resources be put to?
Baroness Andrews says the Defra default position is to retain but the bill requires it to revoke by default.
β Which is true?
π’ What a debate πΊ
@LordLucasCD says the govt letter to Peers misrepresents the effects of Clause 15.
π€ Baroness Bakewell would welcome a dialogue with the minister on a way forward.
πͺοΈ Environmental concerns will no doubt feature again at Report.
Night folks π΄
@LordLucasCD says the govt letter to Peers misrepresents the effects of Clause 15.
π€ Baroness Bakewell would welcome a dialogue with the minister on a way forward.
πͺοΈ Environmental concerns will no doubt feature again at Report.
Night folks π΄
β’ β’ β’
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