Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Tree Planting

Thursday 6 July 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

  • Nicola Richards asked about steps to increase tree planting in the west midlands, noting 350,000 trees planted since January 2020.
  • The Minister highlighted the England trees action plan with over 90 actions to boost tree planting and mentioned the launch of the England woodland creation offer grant scheme.
  • Dan Jarvis requested long-term funding certainty for projects like the Woodland Trust's Snaizeholme tree planting project in Yorkshire.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Nicola Richards
Environment
Context

The question arises from the England trees action plan and its targets for increasing tree planting.

Question

What steps is she taking to increase tree planting? Since January 2020, 350,000 trees have been planted in the west midlands. An estimated 62 tonnes of air pollution have been removed as a result in the Black Country alone. More than 320,000 of those trees have now been registered with the West Midlands Combined Authority's virtual forest. Will she join me in thanking Mayor Andy Street for spearheading this effort?

Answer from Therese Coffey

I am pleased that the England trees action plan has set out more than 90 actions to increase tree planting. Since its publication, we have rolled out the England woodland creation offer grant scheme; added two new community forests; invested in nursery capacity; launched a training and apprenticeship scheme for forestry skills.

Partly answered

Not addressed: How the Government plan to help the west midlands plant even more trees

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Q2 Nicola Richards
Environment
Context

Since January 2020, the west midlands has planted 350,000 trees which have removed an estimated 62 tonnes of air pollution.

Question

Will she join me in thanking Mayor Andy Street for spearheading that massive effort? Will the Secretary of State outline how the Government plan to help the west midlands plant even more trees?

Answer from Therese Coffey

I thank Mayor Andy Street and the people of the west midlands for their work. We continue to support tree planting through our national forest in the Midlands and by working closely with the Forestry Commission on grant schemes such as the nature for climate fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details or commitments on how the Government will help plant more trees in the west midlands

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Q3 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The Woodland Trust's Snaizeholme project has the potential for nature recovery and carbon capture but faces a financial cliff edge when the nature for climate fund ends.

Question

Will she commit to long-term funding that provides certainty for vital work like the Woodland Trust's Snaizeholme tree planting project in Yorkshire?

Answer from Therese Coffey

We have extensive funding until 2025 through spending reviews and will continue investing in forestry via environmental land management schemes. I planted a tree with my hon. Friend in the northern forest.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to long-term funding beyond 2025

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