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 pesticide by local authorities to manage unwanted vegetation, glyphosate, carries health risks.  

In Siân’s constituency, Brighton and Hove City Council has reinstated the use of toxic glyphosate in some areas, five years after councillors pledged to end its use, and many councils continue to spray the chemical onto paths and pavements in public spaces such as parks and housing estates. 

Over 100 local authorities across the UK have already chosen to end or significantly reduce their use of pesticides, the overuse of which destroys areas used by birds, insects, bees, and hedgehogs for food and shelter. The run-off of pesticides from pavements can contaminate water courses and damage aquatic life.  

Siân Berry, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “More must be done to stop councils using toxic chemicals in public places, which are a danger to people, pets and children using these spaces, and to the wider environment. There are alternatives and many councils are succeeding, but too many are failing to take action. 

“Across my constituency, resident groups are working hard to remove any plants causing problems in order to stop the council from using this chemical in their neighbourhoods, but the earlier ban needs to be reinstated and replicated across the country. I’m pleased to have won the support of parliamentary colleagues who agree with us that we should be defending, not poisoning our wildlife.   

“My Bill would stop the use of pesticides in public spaces, and I hope to see it passed so that every village, town and city across England will be protected from the harmful effects of these chemicals.”  

Nick Mole, UK Policy Manager at PAN UK, said: “There’s absolutely no justification for using pesticides in our towns and cities. By ending the use of pesticides in public spaces, we will reduce the exposure of millions of UK citizens to potentially harmful chemicals and protect our precious urban biodiversity. We are delighted that Siân is championing this issue in parliament, building on the incredible work of thousands of dedicated local campaigners across the UK who have successfully lobbied their councils to go pesticide-free. It’s about time this policy was enacted at a national level.” 

MPs who have so far supported the Early Day Motion are Nadia Whittome MP for Nottingham East (Labour), Liz Saville Roberts MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Plaid Cymru), Wera Hobhouse MP for Bath (Liberal Democrat), Ian Byrne MP for Liverpool West Derby (Independent) and Siân is urging people across the country to write to their MPs to add their names.   

ENDS

For further information or to arrange media interviews, please contact [email protected]  

• Read the full Early Day Motion  

• Read the Plant Protection Products (Prohibition on Public Sector Use) Bill 

• ‘The run-off of pesticides from pavements can contaminate water courses and damage aquatic life.’ – Pesticide Action Network.  

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“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 millions who were let down by this maladministration, just to be let down again today.

“The Government should reconsider this decision and look at how it can also do more to help women born in the 1950s win the same security in retirement as enjoyed by their male counterparts.”

*Response to PHSO report on communication of changes to women’s State Pension age [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/response-to-phso-report-on-communication-of-changes-to-womens-state-pension-age]

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This relates to L3 Harris Release and Integrated Solutions Ltd (previously known as EDO MBM). This is a business that is currently potentially complicit in the violation of human rights, resulting in misery and death in global conflicts, and it cannot continue to be welcome in our city.

Constituents and campaigners are calling for the Inspectorate to hold a public hearing about this case and, given the level of local concern about the factory’s presence in the city, I agree this would be an important exercise in openness and transparency. 

My full submission below:

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I have received multiple messages from constituents in receipt of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) who are fearful about these plans and asked the Government to reconsider.

My full letter below:

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I have received a very large number of emails, letters and postcards about this issue from constituents, and I have been really touched by how many people have told me about their own personal experience of loved ones facing really hard choices at the end of their lives.

Here is my letter to constituents on why I will be supporting the bill.

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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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See my full submission to the local consultation below:

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See my full objection letter below:

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Read the letter in full here:

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See her letter and the Secretary of State’s response below.

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