MPs have voted against introducing a stricter air quality target in the Environment Bill, rejecting a House of Lords amendment that would have aligned particle pollution limits with World Health Organisation guidelines by 2030. The Commons followed the government's wishes in opposing the measure.
The bill, first published in 2019, is currently undergoing the parliamentary 'ping-pong' process as both Houses seek agreement on final measures. The votes come ahead of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, with ministers aiming to pass the bill before the conference begins on 31 October.
MPs also rejected a Lords amendment that would have placed a duty on water companies to reduce raw sewage discharges into rivers. However, they agreed to extend charges to all single-use items, not just plastic ones.
The government says the bill will improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution, restore wildlife, and protect the climate. It also includes provisions to establish the Office for Environmental Protection as a watchdog, though MPs removed an amendment guaranteeing its independence.
Environmental groups criticised the decisions. RSPB chief executive Beccy Speight accused the government of 'falling short of its pledge to leave the natural environment in a better state than it inherited it'. Surfers Against Sewage called it 'astonishing' that the government was opting out of amendments designed to protect the planet.
A Defra spokesperson defended the bill as 'landmark' legislation that would 'transform how we protect our natural environment', adding that it was 'vital that the bill now completes its passage into law as soon as possible'.
