I was glad to meet with representatives of the Friends of the South Downs, Trustees David Green and Paul Wilkinson, for a walk around Cissbury Ring and to discuss their concerns about the Government's Levelling-Up Bill.
Cissbury Ring and the entire South Downs are enormously important within our local, regional and national environment. We are truly fortunate to have such a beautiful and biodiverse National Park on our doorstep.
I share in their desire that the Levelling-Up Bill include key recommendations from the Glover review - including provisions to give National Parks the power to recover biodiversity and nature in these protected landscapes and better equip them in combatting climate change.
Friends of the South Downs, alongside the Campaign for National Parks and 45 other organisations, have written to the Prime Minister, calling on the government to accept these amendments to the Levelling Up Bill. I echo their calls when in discussion with Ministers and the Prime Minister.
The Government must work hand-in-hand with partner organisations, charities and businesses across the country and internationally to respond effectively to the looming climate catastrophe. Only together can we make a real impact.
