A look at the government's new environment bill published today

The government is publishing a new environment bill today (October 15).

The bill is aiming to tackle environmental issues such as climate change, poor air quality, litter and the epidemic of single-use plastic.

Furthermore, legislation is also set to create environment improvement targets.

Meanwhile, a new independent Office for Environmental Protection will be established aiming to scrutinise environmental policy and law, investigate complaints and take enforcement action against public authorities to uphold standards.

With Brexit removing EU rules, the Office for Environmental Protection - an independent watchdog - will step in and be created for the government’s new bill. The government has, in the past, faced a lot of scrutiny for not meeting air quality targets.

Some have said they think this new bill will be stripped of funding, and therefore not able to meet environmental targets after Brexit.

More follows.