Brexit second referendum – as it happened: Nigel Farage and Arron Banks make surprise call for another vote
Senior figures in Leave campaign say another Brexit poll might be needed to 'settle issue for a generation'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May has delivered a landmark speech on the environment in which she laid out the Government's 25-year plan for reducing waste and tackling climate change.
The Prime Minister pledged to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042, alongside a range of other measures, but environmental groups said the plan lacks "urgency, detail and bite".
Also included in the Government's strategy are a £7bn fund for "plastics innovation" and plans to encourage supermarkets to set up plastic-free aisles.
Elsewhere, Boris Johnson will use a meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, to raise the case of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. The British mother has been imprisoned in Iran since April 2016. And new analysis commissioned by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, showed a no deal Brexit could cost the UK economy up to £50bn.
Welcome to The Independent's Westminster live blog - we'll be bringing you all the latest updates as Theresa May unveils the Government's 25-year environment strategy.
Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, has just been on BBC Radio 4's Today programme defending the Government's environmental policies. Quotes coming up shortly...
Mr Gove said suggestions of a 25p levy on disposable coffee cups was an "exciting idea" that his department was "reflecting on'". The Environmental Audit Committee proposed the tax earlier this month - a proposal supported by The Independent.
The Environmental Secretary said he had "taken action in a wide variety of areas", pointing out that the Government has already banned microbeards and is consulting on introducing a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles as ministers attempt to cut down the amount of waste the UK produces.
More from Mr Gove on whether he supports calls for a 25p "latte levy" on disposable coffee cups:
"We will think about how we can make sure that the current way in which coffee cups, which in many respects can't be effectively recycled and are an integral part of our throwaway-takeaway culture - what we can do in order to deal with it.
"It's already the case that we have introduced a very successful charge, which is the 5p charge on plastic bags. The critical thing is that when a recommendation like this is made, we need to make sure that it will work. We need to test the policy."
In a bizarre exchange that had just the slightest similarity to Donald Trump - or, some suggested, The Office's David Brent - the Environment Secretary referred to himself in the third person as "Govey".
Taking issue with Today presenter Nick Robinson's questioning, Mr Gove said: "Your premise is 'Eh, Govey, you haven't done enough' but we've already legislated in a number of areas."
Mr Robinson, in response, said he would never dream of calling the cabinet minister "Govey".
Peter Riddell, the Commissioner for Public Appointments, has announced he is looking into the appointment of Toby Young to the Office for Students board.
Mr Young stepped down earlier this week after facing an angry backlash over numerous homophobic and misogynistic tweets he had posted.
In a letter to The Times, Mr Riddell accused the Department for Education of a "serious, and avoidable, failure of due diligence".
He added: "A simple Google search would immediately have identified his comments".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments