MPs elect environmental committee chairs

Following last week’s ballot of MPs, Toby Perkins MP was elected chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, and Alistair Carmichael MP was elected unopposed as chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee – both for the 2024 Parliament.

Perkins (pictured left) commented: "As shadow environment minister in the last Parliament, I was a passionate advocate for action on climate and nature, be that water quality or the restoration of biodiversity at home and abroad. As chair, I will work across party lines and with communities, businesses, and experts to lead a committee focused squarely on finding solutions to the environmental challenges we face.”

Carmichael (pictured right) was the sole nomination for the Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.  He pledged: “I will ensure that the committee gives a voice to rural, coastal and island communities, and fully considers the interests of our fishers, farmers, food producers, processors and exporters, while holding corporate interests such as water companies to account.” He will take up his position once the remaining members of the committee have been appointed by the House.