Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris has sponsored a ten minute rule Bill proposed by Conservative MP Sir John Randall to support nature in the UK.

The Nature and Wellbeing Bill seeks to set statutory, legally binding targets for sites and species in the British countryside. The Bill aims to put nature into the heart of the economy and communities. Commenting on the Bill its author, Member of Parliament for Uxbridge & South Ruislip, Sir John Randall, stated:

“Nature is important to our health and wellbeing, but it is ever more distant in our lives. My Bill would set a standard for access to nature that would help guide local planning and spending decisions.”

The aims of the Bill are to set biodiversity and other targets for 2040; to establish a Natural Capital Committee; to require local authorities to maintain local ecological network strategies; to identify species threatened with extinction; to make provision for access to high quality natural green space; and to include education about the natural environment in the curriculum for maintained schools.

There will also be important protections for green belt in the Bill. Commenting on the Bill Rebecca said:

“I am proud to co-sponsor this Bill. Protecting our countryside and green belt land is so important. Once it’s gone, it’s gone and I worry that future generations will pay the price for a lack of understanding by this generation.”

Rebecca went on to say that she believes everyone should have the chance to enjoy nature and the Bill makes provision for this by setting basic standards for access to nature.