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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with Birmingham City Council on levels of tree planting in Birmingham.

Defra has had no recent discussions with Birmingham City Council on tree planting rates in Birmingham. Local authorities can take advantage of grant schemes to help increase levels of tree planting in their areas, including:

• The Urban Tree Challenge Fund, which provides 80% funding of standard costs for planting large trees and their establishment costs for three years following planting in urban and peri-urban areas.
• The Local Authority Treescapes Fund, which supports the planting and maintenance of trees in urban areas, including beside roads and footpaths.
• The England Woodland Creation Offer administered by the Forestry Commission.