National Trust Acts Debate

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National Trust Acts

Earl of Effingham Excerpts
Tuesday 21st January 2025

(1 day, 13 hours ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Twycross Portrait Baroness Twycross (Lab)
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One of the ways that the trust is trying to ensure that the countryside, peatland and so forth are available for future generations is through its work to help the UK reach net zero by 2050. This Government have committed to be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than that in which we found it. We are very supportive of the work that the National Trust does, as the biggest conservation charity in Europe, to ensure that future generations can enjoy what many of us enjoy on a regular basis.

Earl of Effingham Portrait The Earl of Effingham (Con)
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My Lords, in 1895 the visionary Octavia Hill co-founded the National Trust because she believed in the life-enhancing virtues of clean air and blue sky. In 2025, the positive correlation between that exercise and mental and physical well-being is medically proven. However, the latest Government data reveals that well over 40 million people do not have access to a green space a short walk from home. Can the Minister say what the DCMS strategy is to address this urgently?

Baroness Thornton Portrait Baroness Thornton (Lab)
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Support the National Trust.