Letter to Kevin Hollinrake MP for Thirsk and Malton

24 November 2025

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Dear Kevin

As you will be aware, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill has now reached the report stage and is scheduled for debate today and tomorrow (24-25 November). 

You will be conscious of the potential for this Bill to enable the powers, responsibilities and resources to create sustainable communities here in Thirsk and more widely across England.

Reflecting FoE’s national position, Thirsk FoE is concerned about the lack of a statutory duty on climate change and nature recovery in the Bill proposed by the Government. As set out in FoE’s written evidence to the Bill Committee and this Friends of the Earth’s policy briefing, we believe, as your constituents, that there is a strong case for including a statutory duty on climate and nature in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Without a statutory duty, action on climate and nature will be a postcode lottery. This can’t be allowed to happen because Strategic Authorities and local authorities are essential to delivering on national climate targets and the actions needed will bring many benefits to local people, such as warmer homes and better public transport. The importance of the role of local authorities was recently acknowledged in the government’s new climate plan, but no commitment was made in the plan to bring forward the new duties and funding needed.

A statutory duty is supported by several local government organisations, including the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT).

We would like you to sign your name to show your support for amendment NC29 (tabled by Sian Berry MP and already with cross-party support) and vote in favour of the amendment should it go to a vote at Report Stage. The proposed amendment reads:

“Duty to contribute to delivery of nature, clean air and climate targets

(1) When exercising their functions, a strategic authority, mayor, or local authority must contribute to— (a) meeting the targets and carbon budgets set under Part 1 of the Climate Change Act 2008; (b) meeting the targets and interim targets set under Part 1 of the Environment Act 2021; (c) meeting the limit values set under Schedule 2 of the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010; and (d) the delivery of the programme for adaptation to climate change under section 58 of the Climate Change Act 2008. 

(2) A strategic authority, mayor or local authority must not make any decision that is incompatible with the duty described in subsection (1).

(3) Within one year beginning on the day on which this Act is passed, the Secretary of State must publish guidance describing the contribution that each strategic authority should make toward meeting the targets listed in subsection (1). 

(4) Guidance under subsection (3) must include clear metrics and measurable terms for strategic authorities, mayors and local authorities to meet.” 

Member's explanatory statement: This new clause requires strategic authorities, mayors, and local authorities to act in accordance with the statutory Climate Change Act and Environmental Act targets, carbon budgets, Air Quality Standards Regulations, and climate adaptation programme across their functions. The Secretary of State must publish guidance for defining authorities’ contributions towards these objectives.

Kind regards

Thirsk Friends of the Earth

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