Kevin Hollinrake: High environmental standards boost economic growth

The Environment Bill gives us the chance to cement Britain’s position as a world leader in clean, sustainable progress.

Tom Bell: We should embrace a “digital-by-default” approach to make council services more efficient

Embracing technology can include smart bins to improve waste collection and electric vehicles to reduce running costs and improve air quality.

Dan Watkins: Six reasons why the Conservatives deserved to win that no confidence vote yesterday

It’s not hard to find reasons to be frustrated with the Government, but we are still delivering for the British people.

Meirion Jenkins: Birmingham is the largest metropolitan authority in Europe – and one of the worst-run.

The structure and management of the council needs total reform. I would reduce the current 101 councillors to around 30.

It almost works

Were it not for the backstop, May’s deal would get over the line – with support from an overwhelming majority of Conservatives, including us.

Wilf Lytton: Ten years of the Climate Change Act. We need a new target to get net emissions down to zero.

The IPCC’s latest report removes any doubt that upholding the Paris Agreement is in the UK’s interests.

Judy Terry: To defeat crime, councillors need to listen to youth charities and park friends

Helping others who are desperate to improve their lives is essential. Otherwise we will have more “no-go areas”.

Martin Parsons: The politically explosive small print in the Climate Change Committee’s report on sea defence

Destroying coastal barriers to “create a new habitat area” would mean leaving our seaside towns and villages to be flooded. People must come first.

Desmond Swayne: Weaning parents off disposable nappies

We must look at the benefits that reusable nappies can offer, and promote greater awareness so that people can make an informed choice.

Eamonn Ives: No, Brexit will not threaten all creatures great and small

In certain respects, the UK’s leaving of the EU could reap animal welfare benefits on a scale hitherto unimaginable.

Greg Hammond: Freedom for disruptive technologies v the need for peace and quiet

Clumsy bans are not the answer – but local rules do need to be adapted to cope with Uber, Deliveroo and Airbnb.

Robert Halfon: How the patronising metropolitan elites wrinkled up their noses at more money for potholes

Plus: Unsung Conservative heroes. The Centre for Rocket Studies. And: why do we need the traditional, three-year University course?

Laura Sandys: We should support the Heineken of decarbonisation – Carbon Capture reaches parts that other technologies can’t reach.

Britain has a proud environmental record. Here is another opportunity to lead the world.

Howard Flight: The best part of a week on, we can see that last week’s Budget was a popular one

The Chancellor has been fortunate that the public finances have improved substantially at a particularly convenient time.

Mark Stockwell: The plastics ban. It may go down well at middle-class dinner parties. But it won’t tackle the real environmental issues.

The Government should resist Defra’s enthusiasm for bans and emphasise public education, plus the enforcement of existing anti-littering laws, instead.