House of Commons · General Debate
08 May 2025 · 5 other contributors
Opened by Toby Perkins Lab Chesterfield
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Toby Perkins raised concerns about environmental audit committee 2025-05-08 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The Environmental Audit Committee’s report highlights the role of natural capital in supporting economic growth and the need for a strategic approach to nature restoration. The report emphasises that private finance must complement taxpayer money, and recommends an impact assessment of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill along with a full report on current and projected levels of private investment into nature recovery within 12 months.
The Committee supports economic and financial decision making that supports the delivery of a nature-positive future, with recommendations for embedding natural capital in government spending decisions. The report calls for clarity on how private investment will complement public efforts to protect 30% of land by 2030.
Supports the lead MP's position and highlights the importance of a natural capital approach in government spending decisions, emphasising that the new national wealth fund should be empowered to invest in natural capital projects as highlighted in the report.
Raises concerns about potential risks posed by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and a nature restoration fund, emphasising the need for substantial private investment if Government pledges to protect 30% of land by 2030 are to be met. He stresses that urban areas should not suffer while rural areas benefit from nature recovery.
Welcomes the report's reminder that nature is fundamental for economic wealth and echoes concerns raised by environmental organisations, economists, and conservationists about Government legislation potentially harming ecological recovery efforts.
Congratulates my hon. Friend for this excellent report with its focus on the value of natural capital. Integrating natural capital into policy through tools like the nature restoration fund and the nature markets framework offers a vital opportunity for the Government and land managers to restore and increase the UK’s natural capital in ways that strengthen nature, boost local resilience and improve wellbeing for communities and future generations.