Climate minister under fire for jetting to 30 countries – including several on red list
Climate minister Alok Sharma’s air travel to 30 countries in seven months is “bizarre” and sets a bad example ahead of COP26, a Labour minister has said.
Speaking to Kay Burley on Sky News, David Lammy told that reports that COP26 President Mr Sharma flew tens of thousands of miles during the pandemic are “worrying” and demonstrate that “it is one rule for them and another rule for us”.
The government’s climate minister is under fire for flying to dozens of countries since the start of the pandemic.
Mr Sharma made 30 international trips in the latest seven months, including to six countries which are on the government’s COVID-19 red list, the Daily Mail newspaper has reported.
It is believed many of the trips took place while international travel was all but banned in the UK and that Mr Sharma did not have to isolate after any of them as he was a “crown servant” on state business, an exemption that does, however, require a negative COVID test.
Speaking on Sky News, shadow justice secretary Mr Lammy questioned whether the amount of foreign travel Mr Sharma has undertaken was necessary.
“Well the optics are very clear – it is one rule for them and another rule for us. Whether it is Dominic Cummings, whether it is Matt Hancock, whether it is Alok Sharma,” he said.
“And I’ve got to say, of course some international travel is required – but this amount of international travel when you are climate change minister feels to be bizarre and feels to not be setting the example.
“Particularly when there is quite widespread criticism of Britain’s response to COP – just 100 days to go.
“So I think this is worrying. But it is more of the same from a government that really feels like the rules do not apply to them and their ministers and their class and groups of friends.”
Alok Sharma visited Japan’s prime minister in Tokyo in April when the government had placed the capital in a state of emergency due to rising COVID-19 cases
Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Sarah Olney echoed this point, adding: “While Alok Sharma flies to red-list countries with abandon, hard-working families can hardly see loved ones or plan holidays as the government changes travel rules on the hoof.”
And Green party peer Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb said the trips were “excessive”.
“When you’re in charge of COP26, to take this many flights is hypocritical,” she said.
The revelations come as the UK prepares to cost the COP26 global environment summit this autumn – now less than 100 days away.
Ministers are hoping to use the event to get countries around the world to try to agree measures to slash carbon emissions and limit global warming.
Mr Sharma’s thousands of air miles in the past year have been seen as hypocritical in this light, with the aviation industry responsible for 2% of all human-induced carbon dioxide emissions, according to the air transport action group.
The climate minister’s Instagram feed shows him travelling to various countries, including India in February and Bolivia and Brazil more recently – both of which are currently on the government’s red list.
Other reported red list destinations have included Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Turkey.
The government says Mr Sharma is tasked with securing commitments from key nations as he prepares to host the climate summit in Glasgow later this year which has required some international travel.
But there has also been some backlash against the COP26 president’s exemption from quarantine when travelling back from red list countries.
Under government guidelines, those travelling back from the 33 higher risk countries – including Bolivia and Brazil – face a mandatory 10-day stay in a quarantine hotel at a cost of £2,285 – upped from £1,750 in the latest government travel update.
But as a “crown servant”, which encompasses ministers as well as diplomats and defence or border security officials, Mr Sharma does not have to isolate as part of an exemption written into the COVID travel rules.
The guidelines for returning from red list countries states: ‘You need to quarantine in a government approved hotel if you have been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK unless a relevant department of the UK government has certified that you are not required to do so and are:
- a crown servant or government contractor travelling to the UK for essential government work or returning from such work outside the UK
- returning from conducting essential state business outside of the UK
- returning to the UK where this is necessary to facilitate the functioning of a diplomatic mission or consular post of Her Majesty or of a military/other official posting on behalf of Her Majesty
It adds that the ‘relevant government department’ will issue a letter certifying that someone falls into one of the above categories and is therefore exempt from hotel quarantine.
Those exempt are still expected to complete COVID tests on day 2 and day 8 ‘where reasonably practicable’, but do not need to complete the mandatory testing requirements if a relevant department of the UK government has certified that they are ‘a crown servant or government contractor travelling for essential government work’ or ‘returning from conducting essential state business’.
Government sources told Sky News: “Face to face diplomacy is vital to securing commitments from key countries at COP26.
“All UK government ministers who travel abroad are subject to the same rules on quarantine and to a covid secure testing regime.”
A government spokesperson added: “Helping the world tackle the climate emergency is an international priority for the government.
“Virtual meetings play a large part, however face to face meetings are key to success in the climate negotiations the UK is leading as hosts of COP26 and are crucial to understanding first-hand the opportunities and challenges other countries are facing in the fight against climate change.”
Sky News has approached Mr Sharma’s office for comment.
The House of Lords has delayed the passing of the government’s Rwanda bill until next week – in a blow to Rishi Sunak’s attempts to get planes off the ground deporting illegal migrants to the country.
MPs overturned Tuesday’s attempts by the House of Lords to dilute the plan – but peers have now put forward even more changes to the proposed new law.
It is now expected that the Commons will consider the changes on Monday next week, dashing No 10’s hopes to get it through today.
Downing Street has been unwilling to concede any ground on the areas that peers are trying to amend, including on the treatment of people who served with or for the British armed forces abroad.
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No 10 had set its sights on passing the legislation this week as part of its plans to get planes in the air in the spring.
The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill was tabled last year after the Supreme Court ruled the previous scheme to deport asylum seekers who arrived illegally in the UK was unlawful.
The current bill aims to declare Rwanda safe and not allow courts to consider the safety of the nation during appeals.
This is being done based on a new treaty agreed between the UK government and the government in Rwanda.
Speaking earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister’s spokesperson ruled out doing a deal on any of these changes. “We are not considering concessions,” they said.
“We believe the bill as it stands is the right bill and the quickest way to get flights off the ground.”
Read more:
Beth Rigby analysis: Plenty more showdowns to come as blame game begins
What are the latest amendments suggested by the Lords?
Of the four amendments added on Tuesday, three were tabled by Labour peers and one by a crossbencher.
The proposed changes sought to:
• ensure the bill complies with domestic and international law;
• that Rwanda would not be declared safe until a report was completed;
• that appeals based on safety would be allowed;
• and that exemptions would be allowed for people who served with or for the British armed forces.
Peers want to insist on the amendments about people who assisted the UK’s armed forces, and a report advising on the safety of Rwanda, in particular.
The government was defeated on the first by 245 votes to 208 – a majority of 37, and the second by 247 votes to 195 – a majority of 52.
Labour and crossbench peers – those who do not associate with a political party – worked together to outvote the Conservatives.
A government source told Sky News: “We wanted to get it done today, but it shows Labour for their true colours.”
Responding to the latest defeats, Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker told Sky News that he was “extremely disappointed” with the delays.
He denied the government had “slammed the door” on people like interpreters in Afghanistan who worked with UK armed forces.
But Mr Baker said people wanting to come to the UK who had served with British armed forces had to go through the Ministry of Defence.
“They shouldn’t be travelling with people smugglers illegally across the channel – and that’s what we’ve got to break,” he said.
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Approach to military interpreters ‘shameful’ – Labour
The amendment on people who helped the armed forces has been at the centre of a heated debate – with the government saying it is waiting for a report on the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) before setting out its steps.
But Labour’s shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Tory MPs just voted to insist that Afghan interpreters who served British armed forces can be sent to Rwanda.
“A scheme which costs £2m per asylum seeker. A £500m plus scheme for less than 1% of asylum seekers. Which now includes those who worked with our troops
“Shameful and shambolic.”
Read more:
Rigby: Rwanda win not automatic victory for PM
Cost of Rwanda scheme could soar to £500m
Johnny Mercer, a former soldier and the government’s veterans minister, replied: “My team have worked night and day to find permanent accommodation for circa 25,000 Afghans who the UK have provided sanctuary to, without you lifting a finger to help.
“We want them to use safe routes, not undertake lethal channel crossings. Your concern is fake.”
Politics
Rwanda plan blame game begins over latest delays – with plenty more showdowns to come for Rishi Sunak
This was the week it was meant to be done.
Having forced the House of Commons to vote down the Lords’ amendments to the prime minister’s flagship illegal immigration bill three times, peers would typically have bowed out of the battle this time around and passed the Rwanda bill.
Instead, they sought to amend the legislation again.
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There is obvious frustration in government, with one senior figure saying: “We wanted to get it done today, but it shows Labour for their true colours.”
The Rwanda bill now comes back to the Commons next week, and could finally be passed on Monday.
All the while, the clock is ticking down on the prime minister‘s promise to get flights away by the end of spring.
With that timetable already in doubt, at least this ping pong can help ministers pin this on peers should that deadline be missed.
But there is also huge frustration amongst some MPs with Number 10.
‘We need to get it through’
Many are asking why the government didn’t just table late night sittings and force Lords to sit into the night to ram through the legislation.
Tory MP Rehman Chishti spoke for many colleagues when he told me he didn’t understand why the whips hadn’t chosen this course.
“I think the programme motion could easily have ensured that we had a vote tomorrow because at the end of day the public want us to get on and get it done. Labour have delayed, dithered, delayed. We’ve got a plan, but we need to get it through,” he said.
“If you would have asked me, I would have put it in tomorrow and I would have a vote on it. And therefore we get those planes off and make sure that this policy delivers what it needs to be delivering, which is deterrence.”
Another senior minister told me it was “clear” to them that these were “delaying tactics because they know the version of the policy doesn’t work and they want more time and to put off the day of reckoning”.
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The UK’s Rwanda bill has been delayed again. Pic: AP
Labour ‘terrified it will work’
As Labour blames the government for refusing to compromise on amendments, and “going home” instead of looking again at the bill this evening, the government blames Labour for delaying the bill because – to quote minister Steve Baker – “they are terrified it will work”.
There is talk that had the government accepted the amendment to exempt Afghans who served alongside UK forces from deportation to Rwanda, the Lords might have passed the bill.
Labour had received an assurance from the Home Office that this amendment, tabled by former Labour defence secretary Des Browne, was going to be accepted – only for it then to be blocked.
For all the drama and irritation, it is likely that the prime minister will still have his moment.
At some point, the House of Lords will have to cave. Unelected peers cannot keep ignoring the will of the Commons.
But the question then is whether he can assuage the frustration of voters who are watching the small boats still coming, with the most crossings in a single day this year – 534 people – happening this week.
‘Another failed thing they promised’
In our Sky News election target town of Cleethorpes, part of a key bellwether seat in the next general election, voters we spoke to are sceptical the government will deliver the flights at all.
One resident told us: “They tell you what they think you want to hear but when it comes down to it, they don’t deliver that.”
Another said: “No one’s gone to Rwanda. They get on the plane, and they take them off. So that’s another failed thing they’ve promised.”
And really that’s the rub of it – the prime minister will get this legislation passed.
Then the challenge is to get those planes off the ground. Anything less won’t be acceptable.
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But with even some of his own backbenchers believing the policy won’t work, a parliamentary win is only the end of the beginning.
The next question is will he, if he has to, not just take on the Lords, but take on the European courts – and those in his own cabinet – and if necessary ignore court rulings to get flights away.
There are plenty more showdowns to come.
Politics
Scottish government ditches flagship climate change target as it accepts it is ‘out of reach’
The Scottish government has ditched its flagship target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 after accepting that it is now “out of reach”.
However, an “unwavering commitment” to achieve net zero by 2045 will remain.
Mairi McAllan, minister for wellbeing economy, net zero and energy, announced the move in an update to Holyrood on Thursday as she set out the government’s next steps on tackling climate change.
The decision comes following a damning report from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) last month which said the 2030 target was now “beyond what is credible”.
Ms McAllan said: “In this challenging context of cuts and UK backtracking, we accept the CCCs recent re-articulation that this parliament’s interim 2030 target is out of reach.
“We must now act to chart a course to 2045 at a pace and scale that is feasible, fair and just.”
Mairi McAllan, minister for wellbeing economy, net zero and energy. Pic: PA
Scotland has missed eight of the past 12 annual targets for cutting planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.
The CCC said in order for Scotland to achieve its goal of cutting harmful emissions by 75% by 2030, the rate of emission reduction in most sectors would need to increase by a factor of nine in the years up to the end of the decade.
The Scottish government was the first in the world to declare a climate emergency.
Ms McAllan set out a new package of climate action measures.
The Scottish government intends to:
• Triple the number of electric vehicle charge points across Scotland – an increase of around 24,000 – by 2030.
• Explore a new national integrated ticketing system for public transport, which would enable passengers to use one system for all elements of a journey.
• Work with businesses to support the transition away from petrol and diesel vans.
• Take forward a pilot scheme with a number of farms to establish future appropriate uptake of methane-suppressing feed products or additives. Proportionate carbon audits will also be required by farms receiving public support by 2028 at the latest.
• Accelerate its regional land use partnerships, with up to three new areas coming into the initiative over the next year.
• Accelerate peatland restoration by investigating how partial re-wetting can co-exist with continued agricultural activity and access to support, including investment of up to £1m in pilot projects.
• Launch a consultation this summer on carbon land tax on the largest estates, considering regulatory and fiscal changes that could further incentivise peatland restoration, afforestation and renewable energy production.
• Consider the recommendation from the green heat finance taskforce to review and publish, by the end of 2024, analysis of how non-domestic rates reliefs can better support Holyrood’s climate ambitions and encourage investment in energy efficiency and clean heating systems.
• Publish its final energy strategy and just transition plan this summer, followed by draft plans for transport, agriculture and land use, and buildings and construction. After the publication of a just transition plan for Grangemouth, the government will co-develop a just transition plan for Mossmorran.
• Redouble efforts to ensure net zero is fully considered in its workforce, spending, policy development and structures, starting with the full rollout of a net zero assessment in the Scottish government from the end of 2024.
• Work with COSLA to understand wider public sector spend and opportunities for action.
• Propose the establishment of a four nations climate response group, with a remit including climate financing and the balance of reserved and devolved powers.
Ms McAllan said the “severe budgetary restrictions imposed by the UK government” and the “continuing constraints of devolution” meant the Scottish government was trying to deliver “societal and economic transformation with one hand tied behind our back”.
She warned “full delivery” of Holyrood’s plans would depend on Westminster “reversing the 9% cut to our capital budget”.
Ms McAllan said: “This government and parliament rightly has high ambitions, and it is beyond doubt that investing now in net zero is the right thing for our environment, our society and our economy. But we are being held back.
“So, I am asking MSPs across this chamber to work with us to call on the UK government to reverse Scotland’s capital cut.”
Read more:
An uncomfortable truth about climate targets
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Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said he was “angry and disappointed” over the decision.
He added: “We must see urgent and accelerated climate action across all areas and levels of government, and those parties who vote for targets but then block the action needed to reach them will have no credibility.
“I have no doubt that if successive Scottish and UK governments had taken the actions needed at the time, as Greens consistently urged, we would be on track for that 2030 target.
“The fact that we aren’t is exactly why we need to focus on delivering real change and ramp up climate action.”
Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie, Scottish Greens co-leaders, and Ms McAllan on Thursday.
Friends of the Earth Scotland branded the announcement “the worst environmental decision in the history of the Scottish parliament”.
Imogen Dow, head of campaigns, said: “Instead of using the past decade to deliver warm homes, reliable public transport and a fair transition away from fossil fuels, inept, short-termist politicians have kept millions of people trapped in the broken status quo that only benefits big polluters.”
Ms Dow called for the delayed Climate Change Plan to be published and urged the government to apologise for their “colossal climate failure”.
She added: “Instead of significant response and a ramping up of action, the Scottish government has presented a weak package of re-heated ideas, many of which were already pledged years ago and never delivered.”
The head of Oxfam Scotland described it as a “reprehensible retreat”.
Jamie Livingstone added: “With scientists linking deadly heatwaves in West Africa to climate change and Dubai drowning in a deluge of rain, the urgency of climate action couldn’t be clearer.
“The announcement of largely recycled measures represents baby steps forward rather than the giant leaps needed and are a thinly veiled distraction from ministers’ failure to deliver their existing climate commitments.”
First Minister Humza Yousaf with Smart Green Shipping CEO Diane Gilpin. Pic: PA
Diane Gilpin, CEO and founder of Smart Green Shipping, met with Humza Yousaf on Wednesday as the first minister officially “launched” a 20-metre wingsail that will take to the seas for tests later this year.
It is hoped wingsails will help transform the way many commercial ships are powered and reduce fuel emissions.
Ms Gilpin said Holyrood’s rollback was “disappointing”, but “targets are just that – targets”.
She added: “We need to focus on solutions that are driving us towards net zero.
“Scotland is still setting an example for other countries, with initiatives in place to fund and support first-movers and a great deal of ambition and collaboration, including the citizens’ Climate Assembly, designed to engage the public in making decisions to tackle climate change.
“By continuing its focus on tangible solutions, Scotland will regain its status as a leader in net zero.”
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