Labour MPs and other parties accuse the Labour government of using post-Brexit freedoms to weaken EU-derived nature laws through a new planning and infrastructure bill. Critics argue the bill allows developers to build over protected habitats by paying into a fund, threatening 'jewels in the crown' for nature and risking a 'regression' in environmental protection.
Labour using Brexit to weaken nature laws, MPs say
Green politicsPlanning policyLabourBrexitEnvironmentPoliticsUK
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Labour MPs and other parties accuse the Labour government of using post-Brexit freedoms to weaken EU-derived nature laws through a new planning and infrastructure bill. Critics argue the bill allows developers to build over protected habitats by paying into a fund, threatening 'jewels in the crown' for nature and risking a 'regression' in environmental protection.
Trending- 1 Over the last eight years: Water and pesticide standards have been weakened.
- 2 Current: Planning and infrastructure bill going through parliament.
- 3 This week: The Guardian revealed the bill poses a threat to 5,251 areas.
- Weakening of environmental protections in the UK.
- Potential destruction of precious natural habitats and species.
- Public confusion and outrage among environmentally-minded voters.
- Political backlash and opposition from other parties and environmental groups.
What: Labour is accused by MPs and environmental groups of using post-Brexit freedoms to weaken nature laws through a new planning and infrastructure bill.
When: Current (bill going through parliament), over the last eight years (water and pesticide standards).
Where: UK Parliament, various natural landscapes in the UK (New Forest, Surrey Heaths, Peak District Moors, Forest of Bowland, Itchen river, Wensum river).
Why: The planning bill allows developers to circumvent EU-derived environmental protections by paying into a nature restoration fund, which critics argue will lead to the destruction of precious habitats.
How: The Labour government is pushing a planning and infrastructure bill through parliament. Opposition MPs and environmental groups are raising concerns and planning to vote against or amend the bill.