Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps her Department has taken to halt and reverse species decline in Sussex.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We are committed to delivering our statutory biodiversity targets. To achieve these targets, we are taking large-scale action to create, restore, manage and protect habitats, reduce pressures on biodiversity, and support species recovery, in order meet our legally binding biodiversity targets. This includes £60 million over three years for the Species Recovery Programme, the largest government investment of its kind, and a further £30 million for species recovery on the national forest estate. Environmental Land Management schemes also provide substantial support for habitat creation, management, and targeted species action.
Defra Group has supported West Sussex and East Sussex County Councils to prepare their Local Nature Recovery Strategies with publication expected shortly. It will set nature recovery priorities and map specific proposals for habitat creation and improvement that will support many species.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government is working with local authorities to improve access to nature in deprived communities in Sussex.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government has committed, as part of the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, to work with 100 local authorities and developers to embed Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework. The framework provides guidance and practical tools to help local planning authorities and developers design high quality green spaces in urban areas.
This Government has also announced that we will bring forward an Access to Nature Green Paper to consult on proposals to improve and expand public access to the outdoors.
The Green Paper will set out a range of policy options and invite views from stakeholders, including local authorities, and the public.
This consultation will play an important role in shaping the development of future policy in this area. Further updates and a timeline for publication will be provided in due course.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential role of protected landscapes in delivering nature recovery and improving public wellbeing.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In recognition of their huge potential for nature, climate, people and place, Defra have established ambitious targets for National Parks and National Landscapes as set out in the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework. Protected Landscapes also have a major role in delivering the 30by30 commitment, given the scale of land they manage and their leadership in nature recovery.
Defra have published the first report of progress against these targets in the Protected Landscape Targets and Outcomes Framework progress report - GOV.UK. This sets out the progress made in 2023 to 2025, and how Protected Landscapes are delivering against the nature recovery and access to nature elements of the EIP.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what amount she is planning to pay Wealden District Council under the Funding Instruction for Local Authorities: Asylum grant by 30th June 2026.
Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Cabinet Office publish annual grant funding data (Government Grants Data and Statistics) where you can find details of grant levels by local authority area broken down per year once available. The Home Office does not publish any additional information.