Speeches by Blake.

“Alongside the postcode lottery my hon. Friend outlines, the impact on young people accessing education has huge implications. Not being able to view that data also impacts our understanding of why children might not be attending school. Does he agree that that is why data is so important for under-18s?”

“What is the viability of habitat translocation as a solution to the threats you just outlined? There is a bit of scepticism out there about whether that is viable. What is your view on that?”

“That would be very helpful. I have a final question on animal management, which you mentioned. It is quite a controversial issue with deer, I am sure, but is there a set of policies that would enable better animal management that you would like to see us recommending?”

“Very good. Thank you.”

“It would be really helpful for the Committee to get a fuller understanding of the threats to ancient woodlands. Could each of you be as comprehensive as possible on the threats that ancient woodlands face?”

“You mentioned buffer zones. How big would a buffer zone have to be to protect from the nitrogen pollution that you mentioned? I wanted a bit more understanding of how far that would have to go to be effective. I can imagine a policy being written for 20 metres or three miles, so what scale are we talking about—or is it…”

“That is very clear. Mr Phillips, I am interested in the PAWS we have been discussing. What level does it have to get to for the Woodland Trust to be satisfied that it is restored? Obviously, restoration is the ambition, but it would be useful for us to know what level of input needs to be there.”

“On other risks—right of access, right to roam and access to nature, which have all been kind of discussed—would you see any of those in conflict with protecting these important habitats?”

“That is very helpful. Is there enough national guidance on such areas at the moment, or should we as a Committee be asking for more robust policies?”

“Are there any other views on that?”

“Yes.”

“I have a quick question for Ms Randall, if that is okay, about the terms of reference of the cross-governmental delivery board, which I believe you chair. Would it be possible for the terms to be published so that we can see how the environment and nature issues figure in cross-Government decision making?”

“The agricultural sector will be very influential in reaching our targets, but how would you say relations are with the farming sector now, and how involved were you in the decision to increase the agricultural property relief in particular?”

“Thank you. Moving on, and back to the Secretary of State, assessments of the Government’s progress towards achieving the 30 by 30 targets under the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework suggests that we are significantly off track. What will you be doing between now and COP17 to turn this situation around so t…”

“Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Secretary of State, for joining us today. How has your approach differed from that of your predecessor?”

“Is that civil service summer? Finally, you mentioned the OEP and the reaction and response to its report on protected sites in England. It is obviously quite critical. Do you intend to do anything differently as a result of its views on protected sites?”

“Alongside the EIP, can I ask when the 30 by 30 action plan will be published?”

“I declare an interest: I chair the all-party parliamentary group on SEND, and my partner is training to be a teacher. I thank the Front Benchers for the way in which they have conducted this review. I have been pleasantly surprised to see in policy many of the things that constituents have raised with me. How will we e…”

“T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.”

“The shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Mid Buckinghamshire (Greg Smith), would do well to remember the measly £60 million that the previous Government spent on community projects, and the fact that they were opposed to GB Energy, whereas today’s plan clearly sets out the £1 billion for community projects coming throu…”