News – Page 2 – Sian Berry MP

Expanding Heathrow in the face of a climate emergency is the definition of irresponsible

Responding to the news that Rachel Reeves is backing the expansion of Heathrow Airport, Green Party MP, Sian Berry said, “The Chancellor talked about the ‘costs of irresponsibility’ but expanding Heathrow in the face of a climate emergency is the definition of irresponsible.” “Worst still, we’re also expecting formal planning decisions from ministers on Gatwick and Luton airport expansion, which the Chancellor pre-empted today. Giving these permissions in the month before vital new advice is expected from the Climate Change Committee, today’s speech is nothing short of reckless. “The carbon cost

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Listen to science not the aviation lobby

In response to rumours that the Government may soon sign off expansion proposals for Luton, Gatwick and Heathrow Airports, Siân Berry, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion said: “We must ask who these decisions would be made for and why. Whose advice is the Government listening to, when record-high wealth inequality is causing harm to the economy and society in many different ways, and while frequent flying is the preserve of the super-rich? “The aviation lobby is loud and well-funded, but the Government should instead be listening to scientists and

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Brighton Pavilion MP wins cross-party support for national pesticide ban

Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Siân Berry has gained cross party support for a bill which would force local authorities to phase out the use of harmful pesticides in public places. An Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled today (9 January), calls on the Government to pass the Plant Protection Products (Prohibition on Public Sector Use) Bill, which she introduced as a Private Members Bill to Parliament in October. Supported by Labour, Liberal Democrat, Plaid Cymru and Independent MPs, the EDM asks the Government to act and recognise that the most-used

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Save the bees!

Siân joined Greenpeace UK to hand in a petition signed by over 1.6 million people, calling for a total ban onbee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides from Government. These toxic chemicals -one teaspoon can kill one billion bees – were banned across Europe in 2018, but continue to be used on farms here after Conservatives gave ‘emergency’ permission four years ago.

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Response to the rejection of compensation for WASPI women

Responding to the Government’s announcement* that it would not be offering financial compensation to women affected by changes to the state pension age, Siân Berry MP for Brighton Pavilion said: “This is a very harsh decision, admitting wrongdoing but offering a bitter dose of nothing to a generation of women, caught out by this, who faced so many hurdles and prejudices in respect of their careers and earnings. “I have so much respect for the brave WASPI women campaigners who, for nearly a decade, have campaigned hard on behalf of

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Letter to the Chancellor ahead of the Government’s first Budget

Ahead of the Budget I have written to the Chancellor with proposals for good value capital investments and revenue spending, based on needs I have identified from my own constituency in Brighton Pavilion. I’m asking for capital investment in homes and active travel and revenue spending to support fire safety, local authority support for young people, and teachers in further education. See my full letter below.

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Letter on immediate action to end use of snares

Alongside my Green MP colleagues, I have written to the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs to urge immediate action to end the continued legality of snares in England. Many of our constituents have brought this issue to our attention through the campaign group Animal Aid. Read the letter and response in full here:

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Calling for more curbs on gambling premises in the city, and a ban on gambling adverts from council and government

I have made calls for new action to reduce the harm caused by gambling in the city. My proposals were sent in response to the consultation on Brighton and Hove City Council’s draft Gambling Policy for 2025-27. In my submission, I requested a meeting with local councillors to discuss possible areas of joint work and proposed a range of actions the council should take to reduce the harm done by gambling in Brighton and Hove, including: [1] >> A ‘one in one out’ policy for gambling premises in the city, with further reductions if problem gambling

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My letter asking for Fire risk assessments to be made public for council tenants

Fire risk assessments (FRAs) should be available and accessible to tenants but at present Brighton and Hove City Council does not publish copies of FRAs online. I’ve raised this with the Chief Executive of the council and Cabinet Member, Housing and New Homes. Read my letter below:

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Letter to Brighton and Hove City Council in support of Acorn’s “Boot the Bailiff” campaign

Sent by email to Cllr Gill Williams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and New Homes. Dear Gill, I hope that you are well. I’m writing regarding Acorn’s Boot the Bailiff campaign to ask that Brighton and Hove City Council commits to reviewing its bailiff contract and sets a goal of dramatically reducing its use of bailiffs to collect council tax arrears, and reviews its council tax policy to prevent more residents from running up debts they simply cannot afford. Acorn can provide significant testimony from local residents about their experience of