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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to (i) create more space for nature and (ii) protect natural wildlife in South Ribble constituency.

Nationally, we are investing in habitat creation, restoration and management through agri-environment schemes. Additionally, funding under the Catchment Sensitive Farming scheme has helped reduce pollution and improve air and water quality. We also committed £60million for the recovery of threatened species.

We have supported Lancashire County Council to prepare their Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which identifies actions to restore nature and enhance biodiversity benefiting both wildlife and local communities. South Ribble supports a diverse range of habitats and species, with protected sites like the Ribble Estuary safeguarding key environments such as saltmarsh and grassland and supporting important bird populations.