County council redirects net-zero cash to flood defences
In 2022 the previous administration set aside a £2m reserve to provide initial investment in carbon reduction initiatives and agreed a net-zero strategy to end Leicestershire's contribution to global warming by 2045. In February 2024, this was reassessed in light of the council's "increasingly constrained" financial position, and a target of 2050 to reach net-zero in the county was set, council documents addedDeputy leader of the council, Joseph Boam said: "I think it's absolutely great to see us starting to scrap the wasteful net stupid zero agenda."And instead putting the funding towards something that actually matters, like tackling flooding, which has been neglected for far too long in Leicestershire."
'Virtue signalling'
Council documents said on 6 January, during an unnamed storm, significant rainfall led to the "worst flooding event" in recent history in Leicestershire.According to the authority, an estimated 900 properties across the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) region were flooded - including a confirmed 717 in Leicestershire.
Reform UK councillor Harrison Fowler said: "UK authorities of all sizes like to parade their net-zero efforts around like some badge of honour."But in reality, it's nothing more than shallow virtue signalling and PR."Council documents prepared for the meeting said the role of local government in combating climate change had been "constrained by a lack of a clear legal duty as well as a lack of funding from the government".The documents said the Environmental Targets Bill was currently before Parliament, which aims to introduce a statutory objective requiring public bodies to contribute to the delivery of targets to address climate change.The report added: "In summary, the proposal under consideration presently appears lawful. "However, the cabinet should have in mind that, in the coming years, Parliament may well expand the council's legal duties."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Merseyside officers called in to help police Epping asylum hotel protests amid fears of widespread riots
Police officers who dealt with last summer's Southport stabbings riots were called in to help as protesters clashed outside an asylum hotel in Essex on Sunday. Merseyside Police joined officers from other forces including the Metropolitan Police, Northamptonshire, Lancashire, Surrey, Sussex, and the City of London to aid local police by monitoring crowds of protesters and counter-protesters outside the Bell Hotel in Epping as demonstrators gathered for a fifth time. It was the latest in a string of protests in the Essex town after asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He denies the charges and remains in police custody. As many as 500 demonstrators waved union flags outside the hotel, while Stand Up To Racism counter-protesters marched to the hotel with signs reading: 'Stop scapegoating refugees and migrants'. Protests were also held at a number of other hotels believed to be housing asylum seekers across the country, including in Wolverhampton, Norwich, and Greater Manchester. In Essex, a 52-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman were arrested, as well as a 27-year-old woman who is believed to be part of the counter-protest. Essex Police said it had established protest restrictions due to repeated serious disruption, violence, and harm to the community during previous demonstrations, adding that residents have reported feeling 'trapped', fearful of leaving their homes and anxious about protest activity previously. There was a ban on anyone wearing face coverings and that there were designated sites opposite the hotel for protesters following an 'escalation of violence' during previous protests. It comes after the announcement an elite unit of detectives will be convened to monitor social media over anti-migrant protests. Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner issued a stark warning to Keir Starmer last week over fears the UK could once again face a summer of protests. She told the prime minister it was 'incumbent on the government to acknowledge the real concerns people have and to deliver improvements to people's lives in their communities'. The weekend saw demonstrations spread across the country, with clashes between police and protesters at Cresta Court in Trafford, Greater Manchester, on Sunday. Demonstrators also gathered at Canary Wharf in London, Leeds, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, and Southampton. West Yorkshire Police said one person was arrested and charged with obstructing a police officer in Leeds. A spokesperson for the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC) said: 'Mutual aid is routinely used to mobilise officers across the country to ensure public safety, and so the National Police Coordination Centre has been supporting Essex Police to ensure the force has the resilience it needs.'
The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Trump gives Starmer green light to recognise the state of Palestine
Donald Trump indicated he would not oppose Keir Starmer's potential recognition of a Palestinian state, stating his immediate priority is addressing hunger in Gaza. The US president met with the prime minister at his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland for crucial talks on the Middle East crisis, trade, and Ukraine. Trump expressed disagreement with Benjamin Netanyahu's assertion that no one is starving in Gaza, citing televised images of hungry children. Both leaders appeared aligned on the need to end hunger in Gaza, with the UK set to lead a new peace process with American support. Trump also voiced disappointment with Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine, indicating his patience is wearing thin regarding the conflict.
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Keir Starmer is forced to awkwardly step in and defend his 'friend' Sadiq Khan after Donald Trump brands the London mayor a 'nasty person'
Sir Keir Starmer awkwardly stepped in to defend his 'friend' Sir Sadiq Khan today after Donald Trump branded the London mayor a 'nasty person'. The Prime Minister attempted to intervene as the US President ranted about Sir Sadiq at his Trump Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire, Scotland. Speaking to reporters as he and Sir Keir sat down for their meeting this afternoon, Mr Trump was asked if he would visit London during his next trip to the UK. The US President is due to return to Britain in September for an unprecedented second state visit, following his 2019 visit during his first spell in the White House. Mr Trump replied: 'I will. I'm not a fan of your mayor. I think he's done a terrible job, the mayor of London… a nasty person.' At this point, Sir Keir stuck out a hand and interjected to say: 'He's a friend of mine, actually.' But the US President continued: 'I think he's done a terrible job. But I would certainly visit London.' Following Mr Trump's outburst, Sir Sadiq's allies swiped that - while he had won three elections to be London mayor - Mr Trump had lost the 2020 presidential election. There has been a long-running feud between Sir Sadiq and Mr Trump, who previously called the London mayor a 'stone cold loser' in 2019. This came after Sir Sadiq allowed a giant inflatable 'Trump baby' blimp to coincide with the US President's state visit that year. In 2016, Mr Trump challenged Sir Sadiq to an IQ test after Mr Khan said his views on Islam were 'ignorant'. A spokesman for the London mayor said: 'Sadiq is delighted that President Trump wants to come to the greatest city in the world. 'He'd see how our diversity makes us stronger not weaker; richer, not poorer. 'Perhaps these are the reasons why a record number of Americans have applied for British citizenship under his Presidency.'
