The decision on whether a new coal mine can open in Cumbria, northwest England, has been delayed as the minister responsible for the relevant department was sacked by the prime minister late Wednesday, July 06, 2022.
Yesterday was disastrous for British politics. It saw several ministers resigning while protesting against PM Boris Johnson’s tenure, and Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, was sacked by the scandalous PM.
The government informed the Environmental group Friends of the Earth that Gove was to announce today, Thursday, July 07, 2022, whether or not the mine seeking to obtain coking coal for the steel industry privately owned by West Cumbria Mining should proceed.
In a letter to Friends of the Earth, the department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities stated, “Regrettably, Planning Ministers will not be in a position to publish a decision by this date”.
Tony Bosworth of Friends of the Earth, said, “There’s no justifying new coal, and all the evidence is stacked against the mine: it’ll increase carbon emissions, and its market is already declining as steelmakers move to greener production,”
Furthermore, Britain projects to reach zero emissions by 2050. Hence, the government’s independent climate advisers, the Climate Change Committee (CCC), warned that endorsing the mine would make reaching this target more difficult. Even though West Cumbria Mining has said the project would have local benefits and provide employment opportunities. Though the mine has perks, it clashes with the climate change projection.
Also, earlier today British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson was set to resign due to his abandonment by members of Conservative party.