Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Nature Loss

Thursday 25 May 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Wera Hobhouse asked the Minister about supporting her Ecology Bill to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.
  • The Minister highlighted the Environment Act 2021's strong targets and the natural capital programme supporting local authorities in tackling nature loss.
  • The Minister mentioned that the environmental land management scheme rewards farmers for environmental stewardship and covers legal targets for tree canopy cover, water quality, air quality, and soil improvements.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Environment
Context

Britain is one of the most nature-depleted countries, with nearly half of its nature destroyed. A 2021 report on biodiversity loss prompted a government pledge to leave nature in better condition than found.

Question

I am concerned about Britain's high rate of nature depletion and lack of firm targets since the Government's 2021 pledge. Will you support my Ecology Bill, which would require halting and reversing nature loss by 2030?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

The Environment Act 2021 includes strong targets, and the environmental improvement plan covers legal targets on tree canopy cover and improvements in water, air quality, and soil. We are also advancing with our environmental land management scheme to reward farmers for their environmental stewardship.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Support for the Ecology Bill

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Local Government Environment
Context

The West Midlands Combined Authority received £1 million from the natural capital programme to tackle nature loss.

Question

I welcome the news that the West Midlands Combined Authority is receiving £1 million for tackling nature loss. How will the programme, working with Andy Street and local authorities, benefit my constituency?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

The natural capital programme supports local authorities in providing essential support for nature. As we roll out our local nature recovery strategies across all 48 upper tier authorities, we will see collaboration between various stakeholders to halt the decline of nature by 2030.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific benefits for the constituency

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 James Morris Con
Environment
Context

The Government pledged to leave nature in better condition than found, but no firm targets have been set since.

Question

Britain has a high rate of nature destruction. The 2021 pledge to improve nature is not followed by concrete targets. Will you support my Ecology Bill to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030?

Answer from Trudy Harrison

The Environment Act 2021 includes strong targets, and our environmental land management scheme rewards farmers for their environmental stewardship. The legal targets cover tree canopy cover improvements, water quality, air quality, and soil.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Support for the Ecology Bill

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email