Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Access to Nature

Thursday 13 November 2025 · 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 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Curtis welcomed comments about Milton Keynes and highlighted the Wetland Arc project in his constituency.
  • Jess Brown-Fuller invited Mr Speaker to join her on a bike ride along the newly extended Centurion Way cycle path.
  • Robbie Moore raised concerns about the financial viability of farmers enhancing nature due to changes in government incentives and payments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Curtis Lab Milton Keynes North
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The MP welcomed the government's announcement of a second national forest in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor and highlighted the Wetland Arc project led by the Parks Trust in his constituency. The project aims to improve biodiversity, strengthen flood resilience and create new opportunities for recreation and wellbeing.

Question

I welcome the comments about Milton Keynes, the largest economy in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, and we are very excited about the upcoming forest. The Wetland Arc, led by the Parks Trust, is another exciting project that spans the Great Ouse valley in my constituency. It will bring significant benefits for both people and nature, improving biodiversity, strengthening flood resilience and creating new opportunities for recreation and wellbeing across the area. We recently got some funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to start the project. Can the Secretary of State assure me that the Government will continue to support strategic initiatives such as this across the country to deliver environmental protection, enhance community wellbeing and expand opportunities for everyone to enjoy and engage with nature?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)

I commend my hon. Friend for championing the Wetland Arc project in his constituency. Wetlands enhance water quality and biodiversity, and provide effective natural flood defences. As he suggests, we will continue to support initiatives such as these, and I would be delighted to visit his constituency, should he so wish, because it is very near mine.

Answered
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Q2 Jess Brown-Fuller Lib Dem Chichester
Transport Environment
Context

The MP mentioned the renovation of the Centurion Way in her constituency, which now goes all the way from Chichester to West Dean. The project provides residents and tourists with access to the beautiful Sussex countryside and South Downs National Park.

Question

Over the summer, the renovation of the Centurion Way was extended, and the cycle path now goes all the way from Chichester to West Dean in my constituency. Mr Speaker, you would be more than welcome to come to join me on a bike to cycle the new length. The restoration of this once crucial transport link provides residents and tourists with access to the beautiful Sussex countryside and the South Downs national park. Does the Secretary of State agree that such projects are vital to improving the UK’s health and happiness? What are the Government doing to help local authorities that wish to renovate disused railway lines and improve cycle paths and footpaths?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)

I am a keen cyclist myself, so I might visit the hon. Lady as well. As we set out in our manifesto, the Government are committed to improving access to nature, and I look forward to working with her to do so.

Answered
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Q3 Robbie Moore Con Keighley and Ilkley
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The MP highlighted the financial challenges faced by farmers due to changes such as de-linked payments, capital grants cuts, and uncertainty from the government.

Question

The Secretary of State will know that farmers play a key role in enhancing nature and access to it, but that farmers can do so only when it is financially viable and their businesses have certainty from the Government. Yet with the sustainable farming incentive chopped, de-linked payments slashed, capital grants cut, the family farm tax looming and a profitability review completed but deliberately held back from the public until well after the Budget, this Government have created a food and farming emergency, and when our farmers suffer, so does nature. What real, tangible reassurance can the Secretary of State give our farmers right now so that they can stay afloat, produce food, and deliver for nature and the environment?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Emma Reynolds)

I am delighted to be at these questions for the first time, but I must say that the Conservatives have some brass neck. Under their Government, they could not even be bothered to spend the farming budget. We have got more Government money into the hands of farmers than ever before, and a record number of farmers are involved in environmental land management schemes. We have a proud record of supporting our farmers; the Conservatives sold them down the river on trade deals.

Not addressed: Specific reassurances for farmers were not provided, instead criticising the previous government's approach to spending and trade deals.

How: Criticised The Opposition

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