Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Mary Creagh and Chris Hinchliff

Thursday 19th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Chris Hinchliff (North East Hertfordshire) (Lab)]

There are widespread concerns that we are way off our national biodiversity targets. Does the Minister agree that there must be no further backward steps on environmental protections, and that we must set clear red lines for nature?

[Mary Creagh]

I agree that the environmental improvement plan that we inherited was not fit for purpose. We will oversee the largest ever investment in nature. We have banned bee-killing pesticides, licensed the first wild beaver release in England for 400 years, and announced the first new national forest for 30 years.