Cabinet turn on Gove’s ‘green Brexit’ pledge

Ministers fear Environment Secretary’s plans could add to red tape, hit construction and damage the economy

MICHAEL GOVE is facing a Cabinet backlash over his plans for a “green Brexit” amid fears that it will increase red tape and damage the economy.

The Environment Secretary has called on an independent “world-leading” statutory body to maintain environmental standards after Brexit and “embed” protections in law.

However, The Daily Telegraph understands that Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, has raised concerns about the cost of new regulations while Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, has warned it could hinder the construction of new roads and railway lines.

Greg Clark, the Business Secretary, believes it could lead to more red tape and conflict with the Committee on Climate Change, an independent body that advises the Government and is sponsored by his department.

However, Theresa May has backed Mr Gove’s plans for a green Brexit and even launched his 25-year environmental plan earlier this year.

An MP who is an ally of Mr Gove told The Daily Telegraph that the opposition was “stupid and short-sighted”.

The MP said: “It is the right thing to do and it has the Prime Minister’s backing.

“Did they learn nothing from the election campaign? People care about the environment. We are way in front of Labour on this.”

Mr Gove said earlier this year that European laws enshrined on the UK’S statute books after Brexit are “not enough” without the oversight of a new environmental watchdog.

The European Commission currently oversees environmental regulation, but Mr Gove believes that a new independent body will be necessary after Brexit. He said: “Outside the EU, we have an opportunity to learn from both the commission’s successes and failures. We can develop new institutions which do a better job and hold us to higher standards.”

A consultation due to be published next month may be delayed because of the opposition, Whitehall sources said.

David Jones, a Tory MP and former Brexit minister, is among those who have raised concerns about the watchdog.

He said: “We need to ensure that Britain in the post-brexit World has infrastructure that meets its needs.

“Decisions ultimately should be in the hands of ministers and not quangocrats. We want to make sure we’ve got the transport, energy and other infrastructure the country needs.”

Greener UK, a coalition of 13 major environmental groups, has warned of a “governance gap” without the European Commission as a watchdog.

Shaun Spiers, its chairman, said: “This is the big test for a green Brexit. It appears this is being stymied by opposition within the Cabinet. Time is running out, we need to get this in place before we leave the European Union.”

Defra sources called the ministers’ disputes a “standard part” of the process by which policy is developed.