Last week I was delighted to listen to the Prime Minister launch our 25 Year Environment Plan, highlighting the actions we will take to leave our land, sea, air and natural habitats in a better state for the next generation. The UK has always been a leader in understanding and protecting the natural environment, but the impact of our “disposable” culture is being seen and felt right across the world.
The superb BBC Blue Planet series recently brought that home for many people, who saw the global impact of plastic pollution on marine life. We know we can have an impact – as evidenced by the 9 Billion fewer plastic bags we have used since the government introduced a plastic bag charge in 2015 – so it was great to hear about new ambitions.
New ambitions like eliminating all avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042, practical policies like encouraging supermarkets to introduce plastic-free aisles, extending the 5p charge for plastic carrier bags to all retailers, and the start of consultations on how we increase the cost of the most environmentally damaging plastics, encourage recycling and reuse, perhaps through deposit schemes.
I was also really pleased that last week the Prime Minister appointed Tracey Crouch MP as the dedicated Minister for Loneliness. This is one of a series of recommendations made by the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness that we will be implementing in order to combat the growing problems of social isolation, which currently affects up to nine million people in the UK.
The rise of digital “friendships” on social media and a decline in the sense of community spirit in some areas has meant that loneliness has become a sad reality of modern life for too many people, particularly young disabled adults – 85% of who report feeling lonely. Jo Cox recognised the scale of the problem, and dedicated herself to helping those impacted and I am so proud that this Government is committed to building on her legacy. Last Thursday, I was delighted to welcome Seema Kennedy, the MP for South Ribble, to an event at Carlo’s Restaurant in Colne where she talked about her work co-chair of The Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness and what we could all do to help tackle loneliness.