Archived press release

Brown faces growing backbench concern over climate action

8 June 2008

Monday's Climate Change Bill Debate next big test for Government

Gordon Brown's environmental and political credibility is under further threat as disquiet grows amongst backbench Labour MPs over the Government's failure to put the environment at the heart of its policy making, warned Friends of the Earth today.  

Ministers face a stiff examination of their green credentials when MPs debate the Government's Climate Change Bill tomorrow (Monday). Almost two thirds (167) of Labour backbench MPs have signed a Parliamentary petition calling for Bill to be strengthened [1].

Backbench Labour MPs have voted against the Government on a range of climate change issues in recent weeks:

Last Monday (2 June), 24 Labour MPs voted against the Government in favour of a climate change clause to the Planning Bill. And with the prospect of further backbench rebellion over community involvement and major infrastructure projects looming, Ministers have now postponed the next stage of the Bill [2].

The biggest backbench rebellion under Gordon Brown's leadership came on 30th April when 38 Labour MPs voted for an amendment to the Energy Bill which would have given a significant financial boost (via a feed-in tariff) to the installation of small scale renewable energy systems [3].

And the Government is also being taken to court by Friends of the Earth and Help the Aged over its failure to end fuel poverty. The charities say that a comprehensive energy efficiency programme is needed to help the fuel poor and cut carbon dioxide emissions [4].

Friends of the Earth's Parliamentary Campaigner Martyn Williams said:

"Gordon Brown's green credentials are firmly on the line. Despite promising tough action to cut emissions, the Government continually refuses to put the environment at the heart of its policy making. It's no wonder so many Labour MPs are angry." 

“Words are not enough - Ministers must take urgent action to wean us off our fossil fuel dependency and to tackle climate change, improve energy security and stop the country being held hostage to rising fuel prices."

“The Prime Minister must use Monday's debate on the Climate Change Bill to show that he is listening by announcing he will toughen up the proposals." 

"The 2050 target for cutting carbon dioxide emissions must be increased to at least 80%, and must cover all emissions - including those caused by the UK's share of international shipping and aviation.”

Notes

1. Climate Change Bill

The Climate Change Bill - which Friends of the Earth has been campaigning for through The Big Ask - is currently passing through Parliament and is set to become the next big environmental battle ground for the Government.

Although campaigners are delighted that legislation requiring legal cuts in UK carbon dioxide emissions has been introduced, they are concerned that it is not tough enough - a view shared by many backbench MPs.

The Government is likely to come under huge pressure from Conservative and Liberal Democrats and its own back benches to strengthen the Climate Change Bill.  257 MPs - including almost two-thirds of all Labour back benchers - have signed Early Day Motion 736 calling on the Government to introduce more ambitious targets for cutting emissions by 80 percent and to include the UK's share of emissions from international aviation.   The list of signatories includes 15 Parliamentary Private Secretaries. See: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=34898

Over 200,000 people have taken action in support of The Big Ask, Friends of the Earths campaign for a strong climate change law. For more information see: www.thebigask.com 

2. The Planning Reform Bill

Last week (2 June), 24 Labour MPs rebelled against the Government by voting for an amendment to the Planning Reform Bill to include a duty to consider climate change when planning major infrastructure projects such as roads and airports. The motion was defeated by a majority of just 15 and the Planning Reform Bill will now contain no legal duties to reduce climate change.

www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
government_delays_planning_05062008.html

The Government has now delayed further Parliamentary debate on the Bill - which was due to take place on Monday 9 June -  “to reflect on what changes might need to be made”. MPs are also concerned about plans to remove local people's right to have a say on decisions affecting their area, and to hand over decisions on major projects to an unelected quango, the Infrastructure Planning Commission.

3. The Energy Bill

On 30 April, the largest backbench rebellion under Gordon Brown's leadership saw 37 Labour MPs vote in favour of an amendment to the Energy Bill. This would have provided financial incentives to homes, businesses and communities to install renewable energy systems such as solar panels. Although the amendment was not successful it had drawn widespread public and cross party support.

www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
labour_mps_rebel_on_energy_30042008.html

Campaigners are hopeful that a similar amendment will be passed by the House of Lords when it debates the Bill.

4. On Friday (6 June) Friends of the Earth and Help the Aged announced that a High Court judge has given them permission to take the Government to a full court hearing over its failure to fulfill its legal duty to end fuel poverty.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust