🌳 Green Spaces Bill

Commons Chamber

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Caroline Voaden presented a bill to establish a new government office dedicated to promoting and expanding green spaces across the UK, highlighting their health benefits and potential to boost tax revenues by £3.8 billion. She stressed the urgent need for cross-governmental action to improve both the quality and quantity of green spaces, which are currently declining. The bill aims to integrate efforts from various departments to enhance urban and rural areas, supported by statistics showing public appreciation for green spaces. The debate on the bill was adjourned and will resume on June 20.

Summary

  • Introduction of Bill: Caroline Voaden from South Devon presented the Green Spaces Bill for its second reading.

  • Purpose of the Bill: The Bill proposes the creation of a new Government office dedicated to promoting access to green spaces across the UK. This office would support the creation, maintenance, improvement, and integration of green spaces.

  • Benefits Highlighted: The initiative is expected to boost health and wellbeing, contribute £3.8 billion to tax revenues, aid in reaching net zero emissions, and create numerous jobs.

  • Public Support: Surveys show 81% of British adults believe green spaces benefit their physical health, and 85% think they benefit their mental health.

  • Environmental and Social Impact: Green spaces help remove harmful pollutants, provide cooling in urban areas (worth an estimated £27 billion), and act as essential infrastructure in an uncertain world.

  • Types of Green Spaces: The Bill covers urban parks, neighbourhood areas, and significant natural landscapes.

  • Need for Action: Caroline Voaden stressed the decline in both quality and quantity of green spaces, supported by findings from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and a House of Lords inquiry. She mentioned the UK’s status as one of the most nature-depleted countries globally.

  • Current Shortcomings: She highlighted that many adults spend less than an hour outdoors daily, and over half lack access to a nearby public park or common.

  • Government Response: The Minister for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook, thanked Caroline Voaden for bringing the Bill forward and acknowledged the importance of green spaces as vital local and social infrastructure.

  • Next Steps: The debate on the Bill was adjourned and scheduled to resume on Friday, 20 June.

Divisiveness

The session displays a very low level of disagreement. The transcript begins with Caroline Voaden presenting her Green Spaces Bill, outlining its benefits and the need for a dedicated government office to oversee green spaces. Her presentation is met with a response from Matthew Pennycook, the Minister for Housing and Planning, who starts by thanking her for tabling the Bill and positively acknowledges the importance of green spaces. The session ends abruptly due to a standing order, without further contributions or any indication of disagreement from other members. Matthew Pennycook’s initial response does not suggest opposition to the Bill; rather, it shows support by describing green spaces as ‘an essential part of our local and social infrastructure’ and stating the Government’s firm stance on them. There are no examples of disagreements presented in the session, indicating a consensus on the value and necessity of the proposed measures.