Eastleigh MP Mims Davies has welcomed the Government’s pioneering 25 Year Environment Plan launched today by the Prime Minister, and particularly the promises on plastics and on air pollution.
The plan pledges to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042 by introducing a charge on all plastic bags, encouraging supermarkets to introduce plastic-free aisles, exploring charges on single-use items, and injecting funding into plastics innovation.
Mims commented,
‘It is fantastic that the Government is demonstrating global leadership on this matter, tackling the issue at home but also abroad by helping nations tackle pollution and reduce plastic waste.’
‘TV programmes like Blue Planet II are really opening our eyes to the world-wide plastic problem, and it is shocking that an estimated 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic have been produced since the 1950s.’
‘My constituents are rightly concerned about this, and I have already been vocal during my time as the MP for Eastleigh on plastic and particularly on marine pollution affecting our coastline.’
She continued,
‘I met with then-Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom prior to the 2017 General Election to discuss the contents of this 25 Year Plan, and it is wonderful to see how my feedback has been carried forward – particularly my request for further measures on air quality. This is so important in our constituency and I’m excited to see how extra funding, research and legislation will be implemented to clean up the air we breathe.’
‘In my new role as Assistant Government Whip I will specifically be responsible for the Department for the Environment, Agriculture and Farming, meaning I will be involved in the implementation of this plan going forward.’
The Prime Minister has also announced plans to help more children engage with the environment. This will be delivered through £10m for school visits and a Nature Friendly Schools programme to create school grounds which allow young people to learn more about the natural world, targeting schools in disadvantaged areas first.