Call for parliamentary support for new APPG on Environmental Health during annual event

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has marked UK Parliament Week by calling for support in its efforts to see a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Environmental Health created.

Taking place this week, UK Parliament Week is a national event that aims to inspire people to get involved in democracy and learn about the UK Parliament. As it stands, over 100 APPGs exist covering a vast range of topics and they are a way for MPs and members of the House of Lords from all parties to work together on issues of common interest.

Environmental health covers such a wide range of public policy topics, however currently there are no APPGs representing this critical area and CIEH is leading on efforts to change this situation which it argues is essential for helping the UK Government meet its environmental and public health targets.

With significant environmental health-related policy currently moving through parliament such as the Renters’ Rights Bill, Employment Rights Bill and the Tobacco and vapes Bill, the expertise of environmental health professionals is more crucial ever.

CIEH requires the commitment of just eight more parliamentarians to officially launch an APPG on Environmental Health, so we are calling on people to reach out to their MP to ask for their support.

Mark Elliot, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said:

"UK Parliament, and APPGs in particular, play a crucial role in scrutinising the work of government. Making sure issues around environmental health are high up on policymakers’ agendas is something we at CIEH are committed to achieving.

"We believe it is an oversight that there is no such group covering environmental health. We believe that it would provide an important platform for organisations like CIEH to engage with parliamentarians, raise awareness and drive policy changes on key issues impacting people each and every day.

"Therefore, during UK Parliament Week, we would encourage people to get involved in our campaign, contact their MP and ask for their support in creating an APPG on Environmental Health.”

CIEH members can download a template letter to contact their MP and lobby their support for the campaign.