My New MP: What Sort Of A Reply Is This?

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