‘Zane’s Law’ needed to tackle toxic sites

Green MP Sian Berry urged the government to bring forward Zane’s Law to protect people from contaminated land after new research showed that out of 13,093 potentially toxic sites that councils have identified as high risk, only 1,465 have been inspected (1). 

Zane’s Law, named after seven-year-old Zane Gbangbola who died when Hydrogen Cyanide was carried by floodwater from a contaminated landfill site into his home in 2014, was previously brought forward as a Private Members Bill by former Green MP Caroline Lucas (2). 

Now Sian Berry, who won the Brighton Pavilion seat held by Lucas, said: “People will be harmed unless UK regulations on contaminated land are changed, as this new research shows. 

“Our current laws are dangerously inadequate, especially given climate breakdown, rising sea levels, increased rainfall, and flooding that will continue to disturb this contaminated land.”

Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter added:  

“The fact that half of Welsh Councils are unable or unwilling to give figures for potential toxic sites, while of those identified the vast majority remain uninspected is a shocking indictment of a lack of leadership at every level of government.  

“Communities across Wales have for too long suffered the toxic legacies of polluting industries. This contaminated land crisis demands urgent legislation at a UK government level for the safety of our communities and future generations.” 

Sian Berry added: 

“Zane’s Law would align the UK with global best practice for the protection of communities from hazardous land. It would reinstate legislative provisions removed by the Conservative government from the 1990 Environment Protection Act and ensure the UK adheres to the Universal Right to a Healthy Environment, endorsed by the UN in July 2022.” 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

  1. Toxic town impact as most high-risk contaminated sites unchecked – BBC News 
  1. Landfill’s Toxic Legacy – Byline Times 

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Greens call for water companies to be taken into public hands as Environment secretary visits polluted Windemere


/ by Green Party

Green Party Co-Leader Adrian Ramsay MP has poured cold water on today’s visit by Environment Secretary Steve Reed to Lake Windemere and the announcement that United Utilities will invest £200m into upgrading 10 wastewater treatment works at Windermere [1]. He said:

“The government is today trumpeting its “Things Can Only Get Cleaner” tour. But the reality is that can only happen if we take back control of our water.

“United Utilities offers a prime example of the failed privatisation experiment with our water.

“More than 140 million litres of waste were pumped into Windermere by the corporation between 2021 and 2023 at times when it was not permitted [2].

“The company then took legal action to try to block public access to data on treated sewage it is discharging into Windermere [3]. That failed.

“So the company has now belatedly agreed to invest £200m in cleaning up Lake Windemere. But it’s been dragged kicking and screaming to act.

“United Utilities has spent years focussed on paying out dividends to shareholders and fat cat salaries rather than treating sewage.

“The Group’s CEO has amassed around £1.41m a year in salary and bonuses and the company will pay its investors – which include some of the world’s biggest asset managers – £339m in dividends this year, up from £310m for 2023. This hike follows reported higher operating profits thanks to a rise in customer bills. All this puts the £200m investment into Windemere into sharp focus.

“It’s time to bring United Utilities and all water companies back into public hands so that our bills can be used to improve the service rather than being siphoned off into the pockets of shareholders.”

Notes

  1. UK government vows to clean up Windermere after sewage criticism | Pollution | The Guardian 
  1. Sewage illegally dumped into Windermere repeatedly over 3 years, BBC finds – BBC News 
  1. Clean water campaigners claim victory in Windermere sewage case | Pollution | The Guardian 

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“Now is the time to make clear we, as a country, stand with Zelensky in working for a lasting just peace.”


by Green Party

Responding to the “bullying” and “shameful” behaviour of President Trump towards President Zelensky, Green Party MP, Ellie Chowns, said:

“What we witnessed today was bullying from one of the most powerful men in the world. It was the antithesis of the diplomacy needed in such a delicate moment. While many Brits watched on in horror with real fear, we call on the Prime Minister to make abundantly clear that he stands with Zelensky in working for a just peace and opposed to the strongman brinkmanship tactics of President Trump. Today’s shameful behaviour by the American administration- of inviting a leader to their country with the intention to bully and humiliate – must be clearly condemned. Now is the time to make clear we, as a country, stand with Zelensky in working for a lasting just peace.”

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Gatwick expansion unwanted, say Greens


by Green Party

Responding to the Transport Secretary’s decision to pursue a positive decision for Gatwick Airport to bring its northern terminal into constant use, (1) Siân Berry Green MP for Brighton Pavilion said:

“The Labour government is trashing its climate credentials one absurd decision at a time. Only one day after receiving critical advice from its own climate advisors on the need to lower flying demand, ministers continue to support yet more unnecessary expansion for the benefit of wealthy investors.

“Pushing through these damaging plans shows such poor economic judgement. Over 100,000 extra flights a year won’t deliver for our communities. Labour should listen to the public who think airport expansion is the wrong priority. Most of us fly once a year if at all and would rather see cheaper train tickets and more bus routes instead to help with our daily journeys and create jobs where we live, in contrast with frequent flyers leaching money out of the economy.

“The green economy grew by ten per cent last year, and this is where Labour should be investing to deliver high-wage, long-term jobs across the entire country.”

(1) Transport planning: Gatwick Airport – GOV.UK

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“There should be zero tolerance of coercion, violence, or sexual abuse.”


/ by Green Party

In response to the review out today concluding that degrading, violent and misogynistic pornography should be banned, Green Party Baroness, Jenny Jones said:

“Online pornography is a space where those who wish to abuse women are currently operating with virtual impunity. We’re clear that it’s the role of government to prevent this abuse, just as we would offline. Strengthening controls for online content is a good first step as we reiterate that there should be zero tolerance of coercion, violence, or sexual abuse.”

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