Brexit second referendum – as it happened: Nigel Farage and Arron Banks make surprise call for another vote
Senior figures in Leave campaign say another Brexit poll might be needed to 'settle issue for a generation'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May has delivered a landmark speech on the environment in which she laid out the Government's 25-year plan for reducing waste and tackling climate change.
The Prime Minister pledged to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042, alongside a range of other measures, but environmental groups said the plan lacks "urgency, detail and bite".
Also included in the Government's strategy are a £7bn fund for "plastics innovation" and plans to encourage supermarkets to set up plastic-free aisles.
Elsewhere, Boris Johnson will use a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, to raise the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. The British mother has been imprisoned in Iran since April 2016. And new analysis commissioned by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, showed a no deal Brexit could cost the UK economy up to £50bn.
Summing up the Government's strategy, Ms May says the aim is:
"Clean air, clean and plentiful water, plants and animals that are thriving, and a cleaner, greener country for us all.
"A better world for each of us to live in and a better future for the next generation."
Ms May reiterates the Government's commitment to creating a "Northern Forest" stretching along the M62 corridor from Liverpool to Hull.
She says more than one in ten young people do not spend time in the countryside or urban green spaces.
The amount of single-use plastic wasted in the UK every year would fill 1000 Albert Halls, Ms May says.
The plastic is ingested by over 100 species of sea birds, she adds, saying 1 million birds and over 100,000 sea mammals and turtles die every year from eating and getting tangled in public waste.
All single-use consumer plastic will be removed from Government offices, the Prime Minister announces. She says she hopes other large organisations will follow suit.
The 5p charge on plastic bags means 9 billion fewer bags have been used, she says, adding: "This success should inspire us - it shows the difference we can make and it shows the public is willing to play its part to protect the environment.
The charge will be extended to all retailers, she confirms. It currently only applies to major shops.
Ms May finishes her speech by summing up the Government's environmental aim. She says: "Our plan is a healthy and natural envrionment that we can all enjoy, and which we can be proud to pass on to the next generation."
Ms May is now answering questions from journalists. She is asked about the latest NHS A&E figures, which are the worst on record.
"There have been a number of measures we have taken that have helped", she says.
The Prime Minister dismisses new analysis, commissioned by Sadiq Khan, showing that a no deal Brexit could knock £50bn off the UK economy.
"What we are doing is working for the best deal for the British people on Brexit," she says.
Asked what changes she and her husband will make to help the environment, Ms May says: "We will certainly be making sure we are recyling as much as possible. I'm proud that we have put a barn owl box, bird boxes and bat boxes up in our garden, so we're trying to do our little bit there as well."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments