I believe passionately in protecting our natural environment. Along with tackling climate change, this is one of the most important issues of our generation. I want to do all that I can to ensure that the world we pass on to the next generation is greener and more sustainable. Our effort must be a collaborative one which involves governments, businesses, and communities alike.
Restoring Nature:
- From squirrels and hedgehogs to barn owls and butterflies, nature is an integral part of our country. That’s why I was pleased to support the Environment Act, which equips us with the powers to leave the environment in a better state than we found it. We have now announced an ambitious suite of legally binding targets to deliver on this, tackling some of the biggest that are pressures facing our environment. This includes our commitment to halt the decline in nature by 2030 and then help nature to recover. We will set out more details about our plans in the Environmental Improvement Plan in 2023.
- As a constituency in which 87% of land is built on, many of my constituents rightly want to see more done to protect green spaces from development and to improve the condition of local parks. The benefits of access to green spaces are well-documented. It includes improved health and well-being and heightened social integration. I am delighted that the Government has launched a £9 million Levelling Up Parks Fund. This follows a request I had made last year. I recently wrote to the City of Wolverhampton Council to request that they maximise the opportunities presented by this Fund to level up access to high quality green spaces for our residents.
- As well as being vital habitats for wildlife, I know how important the Smestow Brook and Graiseley Brook are for the health and wellbeing of those who visit them. I am devastated that the quality of our inland waterways has not improved in four years, and I am determined to see them cleaned up. Our storm overflows discharge reduction plan is the first such plan by any government to tackle this issue. It sets stringent, time-bound targets the water industry must meet to progressively reduce discharges from storm overflows. The Plan requires them to deliver the largest infrastructure programme in water company history – £56 billion capital investment over 25 years.
Brownfield First:
- I am a strong advocate of greater protections for the Green Belt. As a constituency in which 87% of land is built on, many of my constituents rightly want to see more being done to protect green spaces from being encroached upon by inconsiderate development. I am proud to support local campaigns to protect beautiful areas in and around our city and to ensure that brownfield sites are always considered first when it comes to planning future housing developments. The Government has announced that a review will be launched to promote brownfield development and how such sites are used.
- In our region, we have a lot of derelict brownfield sites and empty retail space which can be used to cater for future housing and employment needs. I have been campaigning for more funding to deliver on these priorities. I was delighted when it announced £1.8 billion to bring 1,500 hectares of brownfield land into use across the country, transforming derelict sites into new homes. In January 2022, it was then announced that the West Midlands Combined Authority will be equipped with £28 million to fund projects that transform derelict brownfield sites into vibrant places where people will want to live and work. A further £30 million is being awarded to three Combined Authorities, including the West Midlands, to deliver 7,800 more homes on disused brownfield land. Our pioneering brownfield regeneration programme is helping to bring back into use sites that have historically been considered too complex and difficult to remediate.
- I am delighted that the University of Wolverhampton is the location of the National Brownfield Institute, which has received £14.9 million from the Get Building Fund. This new policy institute will inform and guide brownfield regeneration, carry out research and testing, and give specialist advice on contaminated land, re-purposing sites, and innovative construction such as modular homes. We are also home to the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Taskforce.
Greener, Warmer Homes
- Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and weaponisation of gas supplies to Europe has ignited a global rush for gas resources and highlighted the need for more home-grown sources of energy. Since 2010, our renewable energy production has grown faster than any other large country in Europe. Our renewable capacity is now six times greater than it was a decade ago. Last year, 40% of our electricity came from offshore wind, solar, and other renewables. We have the world’s largest installed offshore wind capacity and installed 90% of our solar capacity since 2010. We want to ensure that the UK remains one of the best places in the world to invest in clean energy. The Energy Security Strategy sets out how even more clean, affordable energy will be made in our country by accelerating the deployment of renewables. This could see 95 per cent of electricity as low carbon by 2030. It includes stretching deployable ambitions, including up to 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 and a fivefold increase in solar by 2035. As we move towards these ambitious goals, we will seize the opportunities for growth through the transition, creating the right framework to crowd-in billions of pounds of new investment into the UK's economy.
- The Government is investing over £6.6 billion to help decarbonise homes and buildings, including insulation. This will help to deliver upgrades to more than half a million homes through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, the Home Upgrade Grant Scheme, and Energy Company Obligation - delivering average bill savings of £300. For further advice on the support available for improving energy efficiency and reducing energy bills, please visit www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency or call 0800 444202 (Simple Energy Advice).
- Launched in April 2011, the Warm Home Discount is a key Government strategy to tackle fuel poverty. It has helped over 2.2 million low-income and vulnerable households each year with energy costs. The Discount has been extended to provide £150 to three million vulnerable households. To find out more about the support available with energy bills, please visit www.stuartanderson.org.uk/support-individuals.