Government response to the Committee's report on the Environment Bill (3 September 2021)

This is the government's response, published 9 September 2021.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government says there are "appropriate safeguards" for the independence of OEP board appointments, accepts two recommendations on laying guidance and delegated powers, and has tabled an amendment on parliamentary scrutiny of draft Clause 25 guidance.

• On non-executive appointments, the government "does not believe it is necessary to prescribe a particular role for Parliament in scrutinising the appointments" on the face of the Bill, and says ministers should "retain the ability to make the final choice".
• On the Clause 25 guidance power, the government describes it as "an important safeguard for accountability" and has tabled an amendment so that the Secretary of State must lay draft guidance before Parliament and respond to any resolutions or recommendations before producing final guidance.
• It states "We accept this recommendation" on laying guidance before Parliament, and has tabled amendments to five clauses (57, 68, 102, 105 and 106) so that guidance is laid rather than simply published on a government website.
• It also states "We accept this recommendation" on delegated powers, having tabled amendments to move the vehicle recall regulations power from negative to affirmative procedure and to narrow the clause 90 power to the 1991 Act only.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error