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Climate Change Bill [HL]

We fully support measures to make sure that carbon budgets and proposals are set quickly and efficiently, but we are not convinced that the amendment achieves that aim. The subsection in question seems to relate to all orders that set budgets. We welcome the idea that the budgets be set as soon as possible, but mandating the Secretary of State to lay down a report that outlines all the budgets for the next 43 years in the six months after Royal Assent seems completely to alter the purpose of the clause. As I understand it, the clause attempts to ensure that reporting mechanisms are in place every time a budget is set but not necessarily to fix and place permanently all budgets for the next four decades. The amendment lacks clarity. As our knowledge of climate change improves, so will our ability to set and amend budgetary periods. It is important that we have a dynamic process to address these issues. Likewise, it is important that this place responds in an open and democratic way every time that it happens. Reports to Parliament on budgets and budgetary periods are important, but they need to be strengthened, and we have tabled amendments to that effect.