Local MP calls on Government to prioritise action to protect UK infrastructure from effects of climate change

In Parliament yesterday, Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has called on the Government to prioritise action to ensure the resilience of the UK’s infrastructure in the face of climate change. Tom brought the question as part of his work with the APPG for Infrastructure. 

Tom’s question was put to Ministers from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, more commonly known as DEFRA. The question focused on the outcome of a High Court challenge to the Third National Adaption Programme (NAP3), in response to which the Government committed to further strengthening its approach to climate resilience. The Climate Change Committee has stated that NAP3 has been ineffective in driving a critical shift towards effective adaption. Tom asked for an update from the Minister on when the department would publish its plans on the issue. 

In response, the Minister, Mary Creagh, said that the Government was aware of the need to go further and faster to build resilience against the threat of climate change. 

Commenting, Tom said: 

“We must build resilience into our infrastructure. Sitting on our hands will simply make the situation worse when we do start to face further strain from climate change.

“It’s essential that we act to protect our infrastructure and ensure its longevity. The Government must ensure that it is acting swiftly to put in place the right framework so that the right work can be done. 

“I will continue to hold the Government to account as part of my work with the infrastructure APPG, and for the good of the country.”

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

You can find out more about NAP3 here.