Reform-led Havering Council has voted to scrap its 'climate emergency' declaration, a symbolic commitment made by the previous administration in March 2023, in a move to save money and focus on practical decisions. The decision, made at a council meeting on July 22, follows the council's earlier refusal to fly the Pride flag on council buildings.
Background of the climate emergency declaration
The climate emergency was declared by the previous Havering Residents Association (HRA) administration, in coalition with Labour, to underscore the urgency of climate action. Former Labour group leader Keith Darvill said it "further emphasised both the urgency and seriousness" of the council's climate policies. Havering was one of 30 London councils to declare a climate emergency, with only Bexley, Bromley, and the City of London choosing not to.
The declaration did not come with specific targets or goals but was largely symbolic. However, the new Reform administration, which won control in May, argued that it could lead to costly policies.
Reform councillor challenges climate data
Councillor Gary Payne, who presented the motion to rescind, claimed that the UK experienced 32-degree days 41 years ago and that "nothing has changed apart from the way we look at it." He noted that temperatures peaked at 30 degrees in 1985 and a 32-degree day was recorded in 1986.
However, the Met Office reported that June 2026 saw record-breaking heat, with a provisional record of 37.7°C in England, 2°C higher than the previous record. The Met Office stated: "While high temperatures are not unusual in summer, the extent and persistence of heat during June 2026 are particularly notable. Records dating back several decades, in some cases over a century, were challenged or exceeded during this event." The record-breaking June followed the hottest May on record, and July has seen a complete absence of rain in London and the South East. Met Office records also show 2025 was the warmest and sunniest year on record.
Opposition and support for the decision
The motion faced pushback from Councillor Gillian Ford, leader of the Havering Aligned Residents Association (HARA), who called Reform's use of data "subjective" and pointed to figures suggesting over 2,700 may have died from the June heatwave. She argued the declaration "costs no money" and that policies like promoting cycling and tree planting have wider benefits.
Council Leader Keith Prince, who defected to Reform from the Conservatives last year, defended the decision, stating: "We don't need a climate emergency in place that will force the council to try and meet arbitrary targets that cost the taxpayer money." He added that the council would "look to consider local needs first, not trying to meet any costly targets."
Impact on future environmental policy
Prince said rescinding the declaration "does not mean we will stop sensible and costed environmental improvements," but the council will avoid net zero-related policies that impose costs or restrictions on residents, motorists, businesses, or essential services. The decision marks the second major policy shift under Reform, following the ban on flying Pride flags on council buildings, with only the Armed Forces Flag and Union Flag permitted.
