Since my last update to you in June, politics has changed so much. Boris Johnson was finally booted out of Downing Street, rightly so after many scandals and his complete disregard of the law and standards. This summer whilst many of us were anxiously waiting for the new Ofgem energy price cap announcement, Tory MPs were ripping pieces out each other in the bid to become leader. Government ministers should have been working together to come up with a plan. But they didn’t. Yet another wasted opportunity and in the meantime, energy giants continue to cash in during this crisis.

In July, the UK experienced an extraordinary heatwave that saw train tracks buckle, schools forced to close, hospital appointments cancelled, further havoc at airports due to melting runways and devastating fires. Sadly, several young people drowned in rivers and lakes in an attempt to cool down during record temperatures. Climate change is real and it’s happening here in the UK.

Despite all the overwhelming evidence, this Tory Government continues to ignore the red flags. Things are so bad that during the Tory leadership contest, contenders were discussing scrapping parts of the 2050 Net Zero pledge and now, Prime Minister Truss has lifted the ban on fracking. What will it take for the government to get serious about tackling the climate crisis?

Labour’s plan for energy security
I understand that everyone is worried about energy costs, and they are right to be concerned. What’s more, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has underlined our pressing need for energy security. Labour has a five-point plan for energy sustainability and security. We will drive down bills in the long-term, deliver energy security and sovereignty for Britain, support good jobs in every region of the country, and tackle the climate emergency. You can read more about our fully-costed plan here.

The return of fracking
In July, I asked the Government if they would stick to their policy not to approve future fracking projects. They told me “Government’s policy remains unchanged”. However, two months later and it seems there is another Tory U-turn. Despite a new leaked Government report confirming that little progress has been made in reducing and predicting the risk of earthquakes caused by fracking, Prime Minister Truss wants to “get the gas flowing”. Fracking is not the solution. To truly deliver energy security and lower bills, I believe we need invest in green energy and urgently retrofit all homes.

Flooding in Pakistan
The catastrophic flooding in Pakistan is a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change. Currently one third of the country is underwater, with more rain predicted in the coming weeks. During FCDO Parliamentary Questions, I urged the Minister to provide immediate aid and work with nations like Pakistan to plan for the future to avoid further catastrophes. I have also submitted Parliamentary Questions on this issue, particularly support for maternity services in affected areas.

 Jet Zero Strategy – reckless and out-of-touch
The Government’s Jet Zero strategy is meant to tackle the ever-rising emissions of the UK’s aviation industry. However, it will allow airport expansions and airlines will be able to increase passenger numbers. The expansion of airline greenhouse gases should not be enabled.

Throughout my Parliamentary career, I have called for affordable, reliable and accessible public transport. This is the only way we will encourage people to fly and drive less. This Jet-Zero strategy shows us just how dangerous and irresponsible the Tories are – no matter who the Prime Minister is, they will always be walking away from one fire and into another.

Emergency climate briefing by Sir Patrick Vallance
In July, many constituents asked me to attend a climate briefing led by the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance. It is clear that this Tory Government needs to get a grip, listen to the science and take robust action to tackle the climate crisis.

Some of my recent Written Parliamentary Questions:

• To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that train tracks can function as normal during heatwaves. Awaiting response
• To ask the Prime Minister, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Government’s decision to lift the ban on fracking on the UK’s ability to meet is net zero targets. Awaiting response
• To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to ban (a) supertrawlers, (b) fly shooters and (c) all other types of destructive fishing in Marine Protected Areas. Awaiting response
• To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the heatwave in the UK on 18 and 19 July 2022, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the UK is prepared for future heatwaves. Awaiting response
• To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has had recent discussions with schools’ leadership on student and teacher wellbeing during extreme heat in the UK. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that food imported from Australia under the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement will meet domestic environmental standards. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement will permit the import to the UK of food produced with pesticides banned in the UK. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has had recent discussions with workers’ unions on the potential merits of introducing a maximum working temperature for workplaces. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will introduce a maximum working temperature in all workplaces to protect employees. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits for employee wellbeing of introducing a maximum working temperature in workplaces. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help mitigate the impact of rising temperatures caused by climate change on maternal health in Pakistan. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help mitigate the impact of rising sea levels and flooding caused by climate change on maternal health in Bangladesh. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will put in place a new sustainable funding settlement for cycle training budgets in local authorities. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much money was spent on retrofitting homes to improve their energy efficiency between April 2021 and 2022. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether Departmental funds allocated towards producing net zero carbon emissions by 2050 were returned unspent to the Exchequer in the last financial year. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 6 October 2020 to Question HL 8373 on Incinerators: Recycling, whether the further monitoring provided adequate evidence of incinerator capacity planned between July 2022 and 2025; how that compared with levels of residual waste; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact that will have on national recycling rates. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the updated Resources and Waste Strategy; and if he will include a further assessment of residual waste treatment capacity needs in that strategy. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy not to approve future fracking projects. Response here
• To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effect of provisions in the Energy (Oil and Gas) Profits Levy Bill allowing exemptions for companies that invest in the exploration of new fossil fuel resources on fracking operations. Response here