(21/01/2019) Within the framework of presenting a ‘Plan B’ to Parliament, Prime Minister May pledged that environmental and social rights will not be reduced as a result of Brexit, and instead that the same level of protection will be retained and even improved. She also added that Parliament should be able to consider any modifications made by the EU in these areas, in which case legislation could even be reviewed if necessary. It follows the promise of Environment Secretary Michael Gove of a Green Brexit, which has been challenged by environmental organisations for the lack of substance and the appearance of a governance gap in the draft Environment Bill presented in December last year (see Brexit Watch nr. 5).
May’s statement to the House of Commons on Brexit (21 Jan. 2019)