The Levelling-up Bill: Letter from the Environmental Policy Forum
In early September 2023, amendments were announced to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, which threatened environmental regression through changes to nutrient neutrality requirements.
In response, the Environmental Policy Forum (EPF), a coalition of 17 professional bodies including the IES, sent a letter to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, supporting the position of the Office for Environmental Protection and others who had raised concerns that the amendments would amount to environmental regression.
Eventually, the strong response from the sector led to further amendments being made to the Bill, leading to a compromise position. Further scrutiny of the implementation of nutrient neutrality measures in practice remains vital.
Key concerns raised by the Environmental Policy Forum
- "A regression in law: The proposed amendments threaten objectives for water quality and the condition of protected wildlife sites, which amount to a regression in law"
- "The proposed amendments reflect incoherent policy, as they undermine the delivery of various welcome government commitments and announcements"
- "The proposed amendments have been tabled despite insufficient consultation with the experts – those with the knowledge and experience of delivering the current nutrient neutrality requirements"
Find out more
If you want to find out more about the Levelling-Up Act and its effects, read our briefing on the Levelling-Up Bill or our response to the 2023 consultation on the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act. These documents were all published at the time these changes were taking place, so you can also catch up on the latest news in our briefing on land and nature policy.
To support the work of the IES in standing up for evidence-informed environmental policy, become an Affiliate or join the IES.
Header image credit: © Aneglov | Abobe Stock
