To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Countryside: Access
Friday 28th March 2025

Asked by: Steve Witherden (Labour - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has plans to publish an (a) Green Paper and (b) public consultation on access to nature; and what steps he has taken to improve people's access to nature.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We are currently developing policy to improve access to nature, working closely with other Government departments and key stakeholders, and further information will be available in due course. In addition, we are already delivering key initiatives aimed at improving people’s access to nature, including:

  • Completing the King Charles III England Coast Path, which will become the longest waymarked and maintained coastal walking route in the world. With over 2,400 miles of the route now approved and 1,430 miles already open, this will also create 250,000 hectares of new open access land within the coastal margin.
  • Designating Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route as a National Trail across the north of England.
  • Delivering the £16 million ‘Access for All’ programme, which is designed to make our protected landscapes, national trails, forests, and the wider countryside more inclusive and accessible to all.
Division Vote (Commons)
26 Mar 2025 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Witherden (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 294 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 92 Noes - 303
Division Vote (Commons)
26 Mar 2025 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Witherden (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 294 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 72 Noes - 304
Division Vote (Commons)
26 Mar 2025 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Witherden (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 299 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 137 Noes - 304
Division Vote (Commons)
26 Mar 2025 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Witherden (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 285 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 366 Noes - 41
Division Vote (Commons)
26 Mar 2025 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Witherden (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 301 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 159 Noes - 307
Division Vote (Commons)
25 Mar 2025 - National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Witherden (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 307 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 312 Noes - 190
Division Vote (Commons)
25 Mar 2025 - National Insurance Contributions (Secondary Class 1 Contributions) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Witherden (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 305 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 311 Noes - 192
Division Vote (Commons)
25 Mar 2025 - Great British Energy Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Witherden (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 309 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 314 Noes - 198
Division Vote (Commons)
25 Mar 2025 - Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill (changed to Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers) Bill) - View Vote Context
Steve Witherden (Lab) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 311 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 319 Noes - 166