Climate Change Bill delayed
Filed under: Networks News International Campaigns
The Climate Change Bill has now been delayed so much by Government that it is likely it will not become law until the autumn.
Ministers originally said the Bill, which would commit the UK to legally binding reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, would be on the statute book by spring 2008. It completed its passage through the House of Lords in March of this year but the Government has failed to name the date for its “Second Reading” in the House of Commons, at which MPs will have their first chance to debate the Bill.
So far no date has been set for the Bill, though with the Commons timetable decided through to 2nd June, the bill will have been delayed by 11 weeks at least. Time is now extremely tight for MPs to finish debating the bill before the summer recess which begins on July 22nd and ends on October 6th. Even if MPs complete their debates, the Bill will have to return to the Lords for final agreement on any amendments MPs may make – which is likely to push the final stages into October.
The delay is frustrating for campaigners and businesses keen for the Bill to be passed into law. However it is extremely unlikely that the Bill will fail to be made law this year – Bill’s included in the Queen’s Speech very rarely fail to become law, especially if they have been high profile and have all party support. In the meantime it is vital that pressure is kept up on MPs to improve the Bill so that emissions from aviation and shipping are included and the Bill aims for 80% reductions in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.
[Friends of the Earth Parliamentary Unit.]
| Contact Person | Tom Wright |
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| Contact email | Tom.Wright@foe.co.uk |
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