Lewisham Council, along with others across the country, recently declared a climate emergency and called for urgent action on the environment. Tackling climate change will require a radical transformation of the economy and society—including investment in green industries and the creation of green jobs. Today I asked the Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, whether the Government will match Labour’s commitment to a green industrial revolution, creating 400,000 jobs across the country.

Climate change is a major issue which needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. Research has found that levels of air pollution in New Cross and Deptford have at times exceeded the World Health Organisations guidelines by up to six times. Lewisham’s declaration means that members of the council will do everything in their power to ensure that the borough is carbon neutral by 2030.

Despite the Tories’ promise that this would be “the greenest government ever”, Ms Perry failed to offer any real insight into how she and her colleagues plan to tackle address this emergency. So far they have allowed fracking in national parks, evaded their responsibilities on air quality and cut the funding for flood defences.