More changes to the Environment Bill
In the news. You might have seen media reports about amendments to the Environment Bill . What’s changing and how will it impact on your business?
Not a lot really. In a nutshell, the government has tabled a change that will see it given more power to give guidance to the soon-to-be-launched Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) - the independent body that takes on the role of the European Commission post-Brexit. This will keep a check on how the UK is performing on environmental matters.
The OEP will have the power to run its own independent investigations and enforce environmental law, including taking government and other public bodies to court where necessary.
Upcoming. Environmental campaigners say that, in effect, the OEP will only be able to enforce a breach of environmental law by the UK if the Secretary of State doesn’t object to it. However, the idea is still very likely to get the green light and the planned change won’t affect you.
Warning. There might still be changes to the Environment Bill before it finally comes into force in January 2021. We will keep you posted on anything that may affect you.