ENVIRONMENTAL groups in Swindon fear a trade deal between the US and UK is being negotiated in secret and will put corporate interests above combatting climate change.

Plastic Free Swindon, Extinction Rebellion Swindon and the Swindon Climate Action Network supported Global Justice Now’s national day of action against the US/UK trade deal.

They claim the town’s MPs voted against Parliamentary scrutiny of the trade talks. But the Government’s representatives have said this is untrue and tried reassure the eco-conscious groups.

Ben Bell of Plastic Free Swindon said: “We feel like the negotiations are being done in secret. Our main concern is that corporations’ interests and profits will be put above workers’ health and the environment’s wellbeing.

“These deals could last decades and have environmentally-harmful consequences. I’m worried this could lead to regulations being removed, lower standards being introduced over here for food hygiene and healthcare being increasingly privatised like it is in the US.

“The Government voted against providing Parliament with a say on the trade deals, it’s not right.”

Swindon MPs Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland said in a statement: “It is such a shame that these groups have completely misunderstood the issue of our future trade deals and the UK’s world leading role in tackling climate change.

“The UK has become the first major economy to commit to ending our contribution to climate change by 2050 through legislating for net zero emissions.

“The Government has already committed more than £2 billion to support decarbonisation in sectors across the economy from industry to transport.

“Boris Johnson rightly congratulated the new US President for re-joining the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

“We look forward to hosting the COP26 to step up global efforts to tackle climate change, as well as maximise trade and investment opportunities in clean growth sectors.

The statement added: “Regarding claims that free trade agreements have been carried out without parliamentary oversight, this is simply not true. Any agreement is scrutinised by committees and then presented to Parliament for approval. The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 provides the legislative framework by which international agreements are scrutinised by Parliament. This has not changed.

“We have been absolutely clear that the Government will safeguard our high environmental standards, as well as animal welfare standards, in any future trade deals. The Government has also made a clear and absolute commitment that the NHS will not be on the table in any future trade deal.”