Energy and Environment / October 24, 2024

63% believe PM is no more committed to environment than Conservatives

The majority of people in Britain believe Kier Starmer is showing no greater commitment to protecting the environment than the Conservative government.

63% of people in Britain surveyed said Starmer’s approach to the environment as the Prime Minister is “no different” to the one taken under Rishi Sunak’s previous administration.

The online polling of 2,069 adults was conducted by Yonder on behalf of Nature 2030 between 6 to 8 September 2024.

The findings were co-signed by environmental campaign organisations Nature 2030, Keep Wales Tidy, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, and City to Sea.

Ahead of next week’s budget, 57% of respondents also say Chancellor Rachel Reeves must not weaken the government’s stance on protections for the environment.

The Chancellor must ensure she delivers Britain’s greenest ever Budget next week.

Nature 2030’s research also found that 75% of respondents support the introduction of an all-inclusive deposit return scheme (DRS).

68% expressed concern about high levels of waste and pollution generated by single-use drink containers.

Earlier this year, Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh confirmed the DRSs in England and Northern Ireland will not include glass.

Only polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, steel, and aluminium drink containers are in-scope materials.

The research comes ahead of a “rapid review” of the previous government’s Environmental Improvement Plan.

Dominic Dyer, environmental activist and Chair of Nature 2030, commented: “The Chancellor must ensure she delivers Britain’s greenest ever Budget next week.

“The only way we can protect the planet for future generations is by achieving green growth, harnessing renewable energy, and ensuring we have a circular economy to tackle the harmful levels of waste and pollution we see.”