Protection and restoration of ancient woodland
Tabled 18 May 2026 by Andrew George
That this House recognises the rich biodiversity of ancient woodlands across the United Kingdom, and their vital role in meeting the nation’s climate and biodiversity obligations as set out in the Environment Act 2021; notes that ancient woodland, those that have existed since at least 1600, covers just 2.5% of the UK, and is concerned that around 40% of ancient woodland has been replanted with non-native species, which significantly compromises its ecological integrity and its contribution to climate resilience; further notes that Forestry England, as the largest manager of plantations on ancient woodland sites, currently receives no ongoing funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for restoration work and would need to more than double its present rate of restoration to meet its internal commitment to restore all such sites by 2044, thus contributing to UK nature restoration targets; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure that a sufficient proportion of the available resource is directed at the restoration of ancient woodland sites within the Public Forest Estate to accelerate progress towards the 2044 target.
Signatories (39)
- Andrew George Sponsor
- Dr Simon Opher
- Adrian Ramsay
- Brian Mathew
- Carla Denyer
- Ben Maguire
- Vikki Slade
- Dr Danny Chambers
- Adam Dance
- Dr Roz Savage
- Martin Wrigley
- Steve Darling
- Dr Ellie Chowns
- Claire Young
- Wera Hobhouse
- Jess Brown-Fuller
- Wendy Chamberlain
- Ian Roome
- Neil Duncan-Jordan
- Clive Jones
- Tom Morrison
- Jim Shannon
- Tessa Munt
- Zöe Franklin
- Freddie van Mierlo
- Jon Trickett
- Christine Jardine
- Hannah Spencer
- Siân Berry
- Gideon Amos
- Sarah Dyke
- Mr Will Forster
- Ian Sollom
- Liz Jarvis
- James MacCleary
- Pippa Heylings
- Mr Paul Kohler
- Cameron Thomas
- Olly Glover