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Labour MP Warns Planning Reforms Could Overwhelm Environment Regulator
Labour MP Warns Planning Reforms Could Overwhelm Environment Regulator
Environment
A Labour MP has raised concern about the feasibility of a key plank of the government's planning reforms.
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Environment
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
An official register of fire safety certificates will protect homeowners from bad actors
Environment
By Matt Western MP
An official register of fire safety certificates will protect homeowners from bad actors
Labour Figures Come Out Against Chancellor's 'Environmentally Illiterate' Plans
Environment
Labour Figures Come Out Against Chancellor's 'Environmentally Illiterate' Plans
Labour Sticks To Its Guns On Inheritance Tax Despite Farmer Backlash
Environment
Labour Sticks To Its Guns On Inheritance Tax Despite Farmer Backlash
Greens Urge Government To Rethink Tax On Farming
Environment
Greens Urge Government To Rethink Tax On Farming
Committee Chair Says Finding Money For Climate Goals Will Be Biggest Challenge For COP29
Environment
Committee Chair Says Finding Money For Climate Goals Will Be Biggest Challenge For COP29
Opinion
Rural notspots – why there's no phone signal in the countryside and how to fix it
Environment
By Simon Rockman
Rural notspots – why there's no phone signal in the countryside and how to fix it
Defra has lost its way
Environment
By Alistair Carmichael MP
Defra has lost its way
We cannot continue to take a flippant approach to how we feed the nation
Environment
By Baroness Batters
We cannot continue to take a flippant approach to how we feed the nation
Most read
Labour Figures Fear More Gaza Independent Gains At The Local Elections
Labour Figures Fear More Gaza Independent Gains At The Local Elections
Political parties
Tories Criticise 'Outrageous' Choice Of Football Regulator Chair Who Donated £75,000 To Labour MPs In Two Years
Tories Criticise "Outrageous" Choice Of Football Regulator Chair Who Donated £75,000 To Labour MPs In Two Years
Culture
Reform Is The Common Enemy In The Unpredictable Race For Hull And East Yorkshire Mayor
Reform Is The Common Enemy In The Unpredictable Race For Hull And East Yorkshire Mayor
Political parties
Keir Starmer Would Harm Labour’s Chances In Runcorn By-Election, Say Labour MPs
Keir Starmer Would Harm Labour’s Chances In Runcorn By-Election, Say Labour MPs
Political parties
Recipes for Disaster: Kemi's steak
Recipes for Disaster: Kemi's steak
By Robert Hutton
Parliament
Strategic Defence Review: a defining moment for UK defence and industry Partner content
Strategic Defence Review: a defining moment for UK defence and industry
By Thales UK
Defence
Editor's choiceAll
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Environment
Victoria Atkins: I’ve Cross-Examined Gun-Toting Drug Lords – Labour MPs Don't Worry Me
Sienna Rodgers talks to shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins who aims her fire at ‘City Steve’, ‘showman’ Nigel Farage and the government’s ‘Marxist’ policy on compulsory purchase
The spiders that ate Ebbsfleet
Environment
By Michael Dnes
The spiders that ate Ebbsfleet
As we – once again – await the unveiling of a host of proposed new towns, Michael Dnes tells the extraordinary cautionary tale of how an industrial wasteland in Kent just 17 minutes by high-speed train from central London remains a spiders’ paradise
A nuclear kettle of fish at Hinkley Point C
Environment
By Tali Fraser
A nuclear kettle of fish at Hinkley Point C
Is a trawler’s worth of fish getting in the way of our nuclear ambitions? Tali Fraser investigates something fishy going on around Hinkley Point C
Environment news
Shifting sands, the grains that make the world go round
Environment
By Ed Conway
Shifting sands, the grains that make the world go round
What would you guess is the world’s most mined product – the one thing we extract from the ground more than anything else? Oil, perhaps? Coal? Iron, or maybe copper?
The Horticultural Trades Association’s new manifesto sets out ten key priorities for a sustainable future Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
The Horticultural Trades Association’s new manifesto sets out ten key priorities for a sustainable future
Former DEFRA Minister Trudy Harrison welcomes call for an Office for Green Spaces and “a bold new programme of urban greening”
New phase of HTA's 2024 peat-free work and support launched Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
New phase of HTA's 2024 peat-free work and support launched
This week has seen a big push of member support and engagement by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), with another successful technical workshop to support growers on the journey to peat-free, hosted at Melcourt and a meeting of the Growing Media Association (GMA).
Partner content
Environment
By Mineral Products Association
Government plans for Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism welcomed by MPA
The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has welcomed plans announced today by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to level the carbon cost playing field between UK cement production and imports, by introducing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) by 2027.
HTA trade event marks 10 weeks to critical border shift and urgent call on government action Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
HTA trade event marks 10 weeks to critical border shift and urgent call on government action
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) organised another of its borders and trade workshops earlier today. The session, kindly hosted by Provender Nurseries, aimed to equip members with the necessary knowledge and skills to trade internationally. It's another example of how the horticulture industry is always adapting to maintain robust and secure supply chains.
HTA celebrates 125 years of supporting UK environmental horticulture Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
HTA celebrates 125 years of supporting UK environmental horticulture
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) began its celebration on 20 February 2024, marking 125 years of dedicated support for UK Environmental Horticulture. Fran Barnes, the Chief Executive of the HTA, addressed attendees at the Garden Press Event, highlighting the association's pivotal role in advocating for industry interests, fostering growth, and stressing the significant economic contribution of the sector.
Partner content
Environment
By British Safety Council
British Safety Council publishes introductory guide for employers to manage risks posed by storing and charging lithium-powered e-bikes and scooters in the workplace
Most e-bikes are powered by Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries, larger versions of the kind found in our smartphones, tablets, and some laptops.
Two months to go and too many unknowns – HTA member welcomes local MP and Secretary of State to discuss critical April border changes Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
Two months to go and too many unknowns – HTA member welcomes local MP and Secretary of State to discuss critical April border changes
As part of its push to get clarity on the details of the April border changes, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has joined Plants Limited in welcoming the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP to their site in Surrey. As their constituency MP, Plants Limited contacted Mr Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with their concerns following HTA Member briefings.
Iceland Boss Accuses Rishi Sunak Of 'Neo-Trumpian' Climate Politics
Environment
Iceland Boss Accuses Rishi Sunak Of "Neo-Trumpian" Climate Politics
A former Tory donor and supermarket boss who recently switched his support to Labour has accused Rishi Sunak of a "neo-Trumpian" approach to climate politics, but defended Keir Starmer's decision to scrap the £28bn figure from the green investment pledge as "entirely sensible".
Labour's green plan makes total sense
Environment
By Richard Walker
Labour's green plan makes total sense
Labour's decision to ditch the £28bn price tag was entirely sensible. As a businessman, I know the move will reassure the markets — unlike the Tories who catastrophically spooked them.
Cost of doing business in environmental horticulture – HTA urges action in Spring Statement Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
Cost of doing business in environmental horticulture – HTA urges action in Spring Statement
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has set our clear asks to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the Spring Statement 2024.
Industry, government and science work together to protect plant health Partner content
Environment
By Horticultural Trades Association
Industry, government and science work together to protect plant health
Key industry figures including Defra’s Chief Plant Health Officer Nicola Spence, Fera Science Ltd CEO Dr Andrew Swift, and Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) CEO Fran Barnes introduced a host of experts from Defra, Fera and APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) at an exclusive interactive event for HTA grower members held at the Fera Laboratories in York on 14 February.
Environment Watchdog Has Financial Interest In Companies It Regulates
Environment
Environment Watchdog Has Financial Interest In Companies It Regulates
The chief government regulator tasked with policing the water industry has invested millions of pounds into businesses connected to the sector, financial records have shown.
Government must speed up electric vehicle roll out or risk missing net zero target
Environment
By Baroness Parminter
Government must speed up electric vehicle roll out or risk missing net zero target
Electric Vehicle (EV) policy has been high on the agenda in recent months with the Prime Minister’s announcement back in September delaying the phase out of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to 2035 and the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate coming into force in early 2024.
University to share in £100 million funding to lead major science and technology hub to reduce plastic waste Partner content
Environment
By Revolution Plastics Institute
University to share in £100 million funding to lead major science and technology hub to reduce plastic waste
The University’s Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI) will lead the Preventing Plastic Pollution with Engineering Biology (P3EB) Mission Hub to support the transition towards a circular plastics economy in the UK
Lib Dems Are On Labour's Case To Make Water Companies Not-For-Profit Community Projects
Environment
Lib Dems Are On Labour's Case To Make Water Companies Not-For-Profit Community Projects
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has urged Labour to “borrow” Lib Dem ideas on reforming water utility companies if Keir Starmer's party gets into government, including turning some businesses into not-for-profit, community run schemes.

Labour Is Making Its 'Slowest U-Turn' On £28bn Green Spending
Environment
Labour Is Making Its "Slowest U-Turn" On £28bn Green Spending
Labour insiders say the party has made a rod for its own back over the £28bn green spending pledge as a long internal debate over whether Keir Starmer should jettison the headline figure rumbles on.
Electric vehicle transition has stalled but political will can deliver benefits to UK Partner content
Environment
By Policy@Manchester
Electric vehicle transition has stalled but political will can deliver benefits to UK
The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) can deliver substantial environmental and economic benefits to the UK with appropriate support from Westminster and Whitehall, a University of Manchester researcher has argued.
No room for drought: Steps to improve the UK agricultural sector’s resilience to drought and water security Partner content
Environment
By Policy@Manchester
No room for drought: Steps to improve the UK agricultural sector’s resilience to drought and water security
In 2022, the UK experienced its fifth driest summer since 1836. Combined with record-breaking temperatures, this led to severe drought conditions across the country, with key agricultural regions as some of the worst affected areas. The drought resulted in widespread reductions in crop yields and harvested areas, as dwindling water supplies in soils, rivers, and reservoirs left farmers struggling to meet crop water demands.
Accelerating the fight against global plastic pollution: Launch of the Revolution Plastics Institute Partner content
Environment
By Revolution Plastics Institute
Accelerating the fight against global plastic pollution: Launch of the Revolution Plastics Institute
There’s an evolution of a revolution at the University of Portsmouth, with a new development that is poised to reshape how global plastic research takes place
Driving change: navigating the path to net zero through modal shift Partner content
Environment
By WSP
Driving change: navigating the path to net zero through modal shift
Surface transport remains the UK’s highest carbon-emitting sector, accounting for around 23% of total UK emissions.
Climate Protest MP Tells Voters To Use Locals To Shift Net Zero Plans
Environment
Climate Protest MP Tells Voters To Use Locals To Shift Net Zero Plans
Former Conservative MP Chris Skidmore, who resigned over the government's plans to offer new oil and gas drilling licences, believes voters should "go local" to encourage policy to achieve net zero by 2050.
H2 101: Why hydrogen and why now? Partner content
Environment
By High Value Manufacturing Catapult
H2 101: Why hydrogen and why now?
Net Zero is driving global industrial transformation which presents an opportunity for the UK to secure its position as a net zero powerhouse. In hydrogen, there is significant opportunity for the UK to invest strategically to become truly world leading and ensure that UK technology powers the global hydrogen economy.
Decarbonisation, growth, delivery: the next Government’s real to-do list Partner content
Environment
By Mineral Products Association
Decarbonisation, growth, delivery: the next Government’s real to-do list
As we enter 2024, the Prime Minister has made clear that this will be a general election year. While the date of the election remains unknown, we can be certain that the next Government – whichever colour it may be – will face a challenging in-tray.
EventsAll
Journey to Safety: Combatting Disability Hate Crime on Public Transport
2025
Surveyor's House, 12 Great George Street, SW1P 3AD
Journey to Safety: Combatting Disability Hate Crime on Public Transport
Starmer: One Year On
2025
Online
Starmer: One Year On
Net Zero Week 2025
2025
Virtual
Net Zero Week 2025