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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the progress report by the Committee on Climate Change entitled Progress in reducing emissions, published on June 2023, what actions she is taking to increase tree canopy cover.

The England Trees Action Plan sets out measures to achieve our statutory target to reach 16.5% canopy cover in England by 2050. Its delivery is supported by over £673 million under the Nature for Climate Fund. In 2022/23, over 3,600 hectares of trees were planted in England; the highest since 2005/06. The Nature for Climate Fund directly supported over 2,400 hectares of planting, more than double that of last year. Community Forests and the England Woodland Creation Offer were the highest contributors.