Read on Twitter
*Post-Brexit governance: a thread*
The new Office for Environmental Protection is needed to hold the government and public bodies to account on compliance with environmental law post-Brexit.
BUT it hasn't been set up yet and won't be up-and-running by 1 Jan 2021. 1/8 https://twitter.com/GreenerUK_/status/1318213698490683398
The new Office for Environmental Protection is needed to hold the government and public bodies to account on compliance with environmental law post-Brexit.
BUT it hasn't been set up yet and won't be up-and-running by 1 Jan 2021. 1/8 https://twitter.com/GreenerUK_/status/1318213698490683398
*context* As we know, the EU wants assurances on enforcement and on governance mechanisms. This applies to level playing field issues, including environmental protections, so Brussels is keeping an eye on the progress of the Environment Bill and the set-up of the OEP. 2/8
The UK government hasn’t been doing very well when it comes to post-Brexit environmental governance.
Because the Environment Bill has been paused since March, the OEP won't be ready by 1 Jan. George Eustice admitted this for the first time at the end of last month. 3/8
Because the Environment Bill has been paused since March, the OEP won't be ready by 1 Jan. George Eustice admitted this for the first time at the end of last month. 3/8
This means there will be a 'governance gap' and the government will have to introduce interim measures. The issue is we don't know what these interim measures will look like and how long they'll be in place for. All we know is there will be an interim body and secretariat. 4/8
So, @GreenerUK_ has set out ten areas where we need actions/answers.
In short, the government needs to publish a written ministerial statement setting out its plans for interim measures and for the actual OEP. 5/8
In short, the government needs to publish a written ministerial statement setting out its plans for interim measures and for the actual OEP. 5/8
There are many questions, such as: Will the interim body be able to receive and deal with complaints? Will it be independent and undertake scrutiny of government policy? How many staff will it have? How much money will it get? etc. 6/8
The govt must also say how it will work with devolved administrations, because -huge caveat- the OEP can only cover England and Northern Ireland. There need to be mechanisms for cooperation with Wales & Scotland on interim measures, and clarity on whether they will cover NI. 7/8
The Environment Bill has been delayed for months, which is why interim measures are now needed. The bill will be back in the Commons soon, but this shows the government needs to up its game and match its rhetoric on governance. 8/8
