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I wish to update the House on the action I have taken with the support of the Forestry Commission and Defra officials to cut the backlog of Restocking Notice appeals and to build a faster appeals process which protects nature and growth.
This Government is committed to expanding, protecting and improving...
I wish to update the House on the action I have taken with the support of the Forestry Commission and Defra officials to cut the backlog of Restocking Notice appeals and to build a faster appeals process which protects nature and growth.
This Government is committed to expanding, protecting and improving...
My Honourable Friend the Minister for Nature (Mary Creagh MP) has made the following statement.
I wish to update the House on the action I have taken with the support of the Forestry Commission and Defra officials to cut the backlog of Restocking Notice appeals and to build a faster appeals...
My Honourable Friend the Minister for Nature (Mary Creagh MP) has made the following statement.
I wish to update the House on the action I have taken with the support of the Forestry Commission and Defra officials to cut the backlog of Restocking Notice appeals and to build a faster appeals...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the answer of 21 April 2026, to Question 124787, on Forestry Commission: Appeals, what steps are taken to ensure panel members are independent of the Forestry Commission; and what training they receive.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the answer of 21 April 2026, to Question 124787, on Forestry Commission: Appeals, what steps are taken to ensure panel members are independent of the Forestry Commission; and what training they receive.
Panel members are appointed in line with Section 27 of the Forestry Act 1967. This requires that panel members are not Forestry Commissioners or employees of the Forestry Commission. Panel members adhere to public appointment standards of integrity, impartiality and objectivity. Panel members all receive an induction covering their role, the independent decision‑making processes, and relevant legislation and policy.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the answer of 21 April 2026 to Question 124787 on Forestry Commission: Appeals, on how many instances appeal panels have recommended against upholding a Restocking Notice issued by the Forestry Commission in each of the...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the answer of 21 April 2026 to Question 124787 on Forestry Commission: Appeals, on how many instances appeal panels have recommended against upholding a Restocking Notice issued by the Forestry Commission in each of the...
Reference Committees have recommended the Restocking Notice should be withdrawn in five cases in 2025, and in one case to date in 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the MHCLG Chief Planner planning newsletter, of 5 March 2026, page 9-10, what steps are being taken to address the appeal delays for Forestry Commission appeals.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the MHCLG Chief Planner planning newsletter, of 5 March 2026, page 9-10, what steps are being taken to address the appeal delays for Forestry Commission appeals.
The Government inherited a backlog of appeals to restocking notices, some cases dating back to 2020. We are making progress to reduce the delays by a comprehensive action plan improving how appeals are progressed. This includes through enlarging the number of panel members who can hear appeals and increasing oversight including monthly ministerial meetings. We are also working to improve the awareness of the felling licence regime. This includes asking local authorities to work with developers to make it clear that unlawful tree felling can risk development being delayed.
A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for 2.30 on 11 February on woodland creation. The debate will be opened by Chris Curtis MP.
A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for 2.30 on 11 February on woodland creation. The debate will be opened by Chris Curtis MP.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether an impact assessment was carried before withdrawing Government Procurement Cards from staff working in the Forestry Commission.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether an impact assessment was carried before withdrawing Government Procurement Cards from staff working in the Forestry Commission.
The Cabinet Office required all Civil Service organisations to cancel or freeze all Government Procurement Cards (GPC) by 31 March 2025. In response, the Forestry Commission set up a review panel to assess which GPCs should be retained. A limited number of cards considered essential for operationally critical, health and safety, or legal compliance purposes were allowed to continue. All cardholders were notified of the decision regarding their GPC, and staff have been given guidance on alternative purchasing methods including using the travel management system, expense reimbursement, cash advances and other supplier contracts. This ensured that necessary operational activity could continue without disruption.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the estimated time is for staff working in the Forestry Commission to be reimbursed for the purchase of equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment, who do not have access to a Government Procurement Card.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the estimated time is for staff working in the Forestry Commission to be reimbursed for the purchase of equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment, who do not have access to a Government Procurement Card.
Most purchases of equipment, including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), are not paid for by individual employees. The Forestry Commission has existing PPE supply contracts that allow staff to order what they need, with costs invoiced directly to the organisation. New suppliers have been added to our systems where they have been identified. When bespoke or urgent PPE is required, nominated staff can still use a Government Procurement Card (GPC).
If an employee without a GPC pays for essential time-critical PPE themselves, reimbursement times vary across the Commission depending on local systems. However, any expense claim that meets policy requirements, has the correct approvals, and includes receipts is processed either twice weekly or three times per month, depending on the business area payment system. A cash advance option is also available for staff who need or prefer upfront support for work-related expenses. Additional contracts to cover other small-scale purchases are currently being developed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Forestry Commission's annual reports for 2017-18 and 2024-25, which teams and roles within the Forestry Commission have expanded since April 2017; and for what reason the body's (a) overall headcount and (b) headcount of...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Forestry Commission's annual reports for 2017-18 and 2024-25, which teams and roles within the Forestry Commission have expanded since April 2017; and for what reason the body's (a) overall headcount and (b) headcount of...
| 2017/2018 | 2024/2025 |
Forestry Commission |
|
|
Staff | 310 | 560 |
Directors & Senior Civil Servants | 5 | 4 |
Forest Research |
|
|
Staff | 230 | 417 |
Directors & Senior Civil Servants | 1 | 3 |
Total |
|
|
Staff | 540 | 977 |
Directors & Senior Civil Servants | 6 | 7 |
Total | 546 | 984 |
The information on headcount for individual teams and roles is not held centrally and to obtain it would incur disproportionate costs.
Headcount changes within the Forestry Commission are a direct result of responding to the Government’s increased ambition for woodland creation alongside ensuring England’s woodlands remain resilient to the challenges associated with climate change and the impacts of pests and diseases.
Forest Research has increased its headcount in a range of scientific disciplines from silviculture to wind modelling and tree breeding. The focus on improving UK biosecurity has also led to an increase in the number of pathologists and entomologists. The Senior Civil Service headcount in Forest Research has increased by two following independent regrading of two existing posts.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2025 to Question 98739 on Biodiversity and Pollution: Sutton Park, what official guidance has been issued by the Forestry Commission to Birmingham City Council on improving the management of Sutton Park.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2025 to Question 98739 on Biodiversity and Pollution: Sutton Park, what official guidance has been issued by the Forestry Commission to Birmingham City Council on improving the management of Sutton Park.
The Forestry Commission has approved a Felling Licence based on a management plan, which includes permissions for both thinning and conditional felling, alongside 4.99 hectares of heathland restoration.
This plan was approved for a 10-year period in September 2025 and will remain in effect until 14 September 2035.
The management plan sets out the following environmental objectives:
- Manage woodlands towards the recovery of positive conditions on “Plantations on Ancient Woodlands” (PAWS) and “Site of Special Scientific Interest” (SSSI) through a mix of active planting and natural regeneration.
- Promote good health and resilience of woodlands, diversifying age class and species composition using conventional and continuous cover forestry.
- Manage priority habitat by cutting back undesirable scrub and regeneration.
- Promote habitat connectivity by managing rides, footpaths, and edge woodlands.
- Increase fauna and flora diversity through retention of veteran trees, standing deadwood, brash piles, and targeted thinning.
The management plan aims to ensure that Sutton Park’s woodlands are managed sustainably, enhancing biodiversity and supporting the long-term resilience of these important habitats. All of the above is in-line with the Government’s UK Forest Standard.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people have been employed by (a) the Water Services Regulation Authority and (b) the Forestry Commission in each year since 2005.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people have been employed by (a) the Water Services Regulation Authority and (b) the Forestry Commission in each year since 2005.
The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) publishes figures on staff numbers and budget in its annual report and accounts. These can be found listed on GOV.UK or among Ofwat’s other publications on its website. The sharp rise in both budget and staffing from 2023 reflects Ofwat’s expanded regulatory role, including oversight of water companies’ commitments for 2025-2030.
The Forestry Commission publishes figures on staff numbers and budget in its annual report and accounts. These are publicly available on GOV.UK. Forestry England, an agency of the Forestry Commission, self-generates a significant proportion of its income.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the annual budget was for the (a) Water Services Regulation Authority and (b) Forestry Commission in each year since 2005.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the annual budget was for the (a) Water Services Regulation Authority and (b) Forestry Commission in each year since 2005.
The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat) publishes figures on staff numbers and budget in its annual report and accounts. These can be found listed on GOV.UK or among Ofwat’s other publications on its website. The sharp rise in both budget and staffing from 2023 reflects Ofwat’s expanded regulatory role, including oversight of water companies’ commitments for 2025-2030.
The Forestry Commission publishes figures on staff numbers and budget in its annual report and accounts. These are publicly available on GOV.UK. Forestry England, an agency of the Forestry Commission, self-generates a significant proportion of its income.
My hon Friend the Minister of State for Security (Dan Jarvis) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:
Today the Government is launching a consultation document relating to the granting of Accredited Financial Investigator powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) to an additional three agencies, increasing our...
My hon Friend the Minister of State for Security (Dan Jarvis) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:
Today the Government is launching a consultation document relating to the granting of Accredited Financial Investigator powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) to an additional three agencies, increasing our...
Today the Government is launching a consultation document relating to the granting of Accredited Financial Investigator powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) to an additional three agencies, increasing our capacity to pursue asset recovery and further combat serious and organised crime.
The following public bodies have sought...
Today the Government is launching a consultation document relating to the granting of Accredited Financial Investigator powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) to an additional three agencies, increasing our capacity to pursue asset recovery and further combat serious and organised crime.
The following public bodies have sought...
Moved by
Baroness Kramer
22: After Clause 12, insert the following new Clause—
“Whistleblowing and oversight for nationally significant infrastructure projects
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) is responsible for receiving and investigating protected disclosures in connection with nationally significant infrastructure projects.
(2) In particular, NISTA...
Moved by
Baroness Kramer
22: After Clause 12, insert the following new Clause—
“Whistleblowing and oversight for nationally significant infrastructure projects
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) is responsible for receiving and investigating protected disclosures in connection with nationally significant infrastructure projects.
(2) In particular, NISTA...
My Lords, I recognise there is a lot of business to get through tonight, so I will be brief.
When whistleblowing was discussed in Committee, speakers from around the Chamber—except, sadly, the Government—seemed to recognise that the current whistleblowing framework is unfit for purpose. It is the framework that left whistleblowers...
My Lords, I recognise there is a lot of business to get through tonight, so I will be brief.
When whistleblowing was discussed in Committee, speakers from around the Chamber—except, sadly, the Government—seemed to recognise that the current whistleblowing framework is unfit for purpose. It is the framework that left whistleblowers...
My Lords, I will speak briefly. It is a great pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Kramer, as I did recently in the Moses Room on the same issue of whistleblowing. The noble Baroness is our pioneer, expert and leader on whistleblowing. I signed this amendment because it is...
My Lords, I will speak briefly. It is a great pleasure to follow the noble Baroness, Lady Kramer, as I did recently in the Moses Room on the same issue of whistleblowing. The noble Baroness is our pioneer, expert and leader on whistleblowing. I signed this amendment because it is...
My Lords, as we said in Committee, Amendment 22, from the noble Baroness, Lady Kramer, is a clear and well-intentioned proposal that raises important questions about how individuals can share their concerns relating to NSIPs. However, as we noted previously, establishing independent bodies
through amendments is not straightforward. The former...
My Lords, as we said in Committee, Amendment 22, from the noble Baroness, Lady Kramer, is a clear and well-intentioned proposal that raises important questions about how individuals can share their concerns relating to NSIPs. However, as we noted previously, establishing independent bodies
through amendments is not straightforward. The former...