I suppose I wasn't really expecting anything better but the email I had from Angela Richardson's office manager (not even from herself!!) is just pathetic. Read for yourself:
Dear Richard,
Many
thanks for your email regarding Covid-19 and Climate Change and
apologies for the delay in getting back to you. As I am sure you
can appreciate we are dealing with a much higher volume of
correspondence due to COVID19.
On the points you have kindly raised:
a)
COP26 – As I am sure you are aware, COP26 was postponed
due to the coronavirus outbreak. I appreciate that many are
disappointed, however this decision was taken with the health and safety
of those involved in mind.
Despite
the postponement, climate change remains one of the greatest challenges
we face, and the Government recognises the importance
and urgency of public debate on this issue.
I
am proud of the UK’s world-leading role in tackling climate change and
the transition to Clean Growth, with the UK being the first
country to legislate to eliminate our contribution to climate change by
2050, and the fastest in the G20 to cut emissions. Since 1990, the UK
has cut emissions by more than 40 per cent while growing the economy by
more than two thirds, and we are a world-leader
in offshore wind.
At
the same time, the ambitious Environment Bill is being introduced to
protect and improve the environment for future generations,
enshrining in law environmental principles and legally-binding targets,
and the first progress report of the Government’s ambitious 25 Year
Environment Plan found that 90 per cent of the priority actions have
been delivered or are on track for delivery.
I
know the Government’s International Climate Finance commitment has seen
several projects established around the world in which the
UK supports developing countries tackle climate change. One example of a
project is the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate
Transitions), a bilateral capacity building programme, which responds to
the critical global need to build the capacity of countries
to accelerate the implementation of their Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs). With £60 million between 2018-2021, UK PACT works
with high-emission, high-ambition developing countries through bilateral
programmes, skill-shares and a global challenge
fund.
b)
Brexit Extension - The UK left the EU on 31 January. A
transition period has followed during which market access remains the
same and the UK and EU are negotiating an agreement on their future
relationship. The Governments message has been clear
that the transition period will not be extended beyond December 2020
and this has been put into law.
I
appreciate concerns about the deadline but ministers have already shown
that they are able to negotiate international agreements
with speed and efficiency. The Withdrawal Agreement was re-opened and
re-negotiated in under three months despite many believing that this
would be not be possible. A high-level summit will take place in June
where both sides intend to take stock of progress.
The
UK and the EU share closely aligned interests and I am confident that
the determination and willingness of the Parties to reach
a free trade agreement will ensure that the matter is brought to a
conclusion by the end of 2020 as legally committed to in good faith by
both parties as part of the transition period.
I hope this has answered your questions and I again apologise for the abnormally long delay in getting back to you.
I hope you and your loved ones are stay safe and well.
Kind regards,
Kris Hearsum
Kristopher Hearsum | Office Manager
The Office of Angela Richardson MP
Member of Parliament for Guildford
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
