Alex Mackaness

Our first panel is discussing a new settlement for nature and planning. Chair @jessicaelgot.bsky.social is joined by @pollybillington.bsky.social, @rachelblakemp.bsky.social, Natasha Hyde and Ali Plummer.

Really enjoyed this roundtable. Gov has a huge opportunity to drive forward nature investment at scale.

🚨 Trustee Announcement 🚨

We’re delighted to welcome five new trustees to the board of the Labour Climate and Environment Forum (LCEF)!

At a time when climate ambition has never been more urgent, we’re growing our governance team with an experienced group from across the Labour movement.

Kemi Badenoch is wrong about net zero Opposing clean power isn't the vote winner that the Tories - or Reform - think it will be.

Great article by @TomHayes in the New Statesman today that cuts through the noise and speaks to what the British people want.

www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/su...

Government to extend ban on moorland burning - closing loopholes in existing rules

Great news for nature, carbon, & people who’ll be spared from acrid smoke & flooding

Bad news for dukes & billionaires who own grouse moors 🎻

Here's my quote running on PA newswire: 1/

www.gov.uk/government/n...

'GB Energy's first investment demonstrates Labour's climate leadership' - LabourList The funding announced is just the start in an ambitious programme to set up a new, publicly owned energy company which will play a leading role in delivering our clean power mission.

'This is what Labour understand about energy and what some of our opponents don’t. Investing in our own home-grown energy generation grows the money available for everything else that we need'

@annagelderdmp.bsky.social great in @labourlist.bsky.social today.

labourlist.org/2025/03/gb-e...

Nature boost: Government launches first action plan on pesticides in a decade The UK Pesticides National Action Plan sets out how the Government will work collaboratively with farmers to minimise the impacts of pesticides on people and the environment

www.gov.uk/government/n....

Third - a National Action Plan for pesticides has finally been published! This is something that was promised by the previous government but never quite happened.

With it comes a target to reduce the harms from pesticides by 10% by 2030 - setting a clear signal of intent and direction of travel.

Defra asks England’s biggest landowners to come up with plans to restore nature Exclusive: Representatives of king, National Trust and others called on to work together to protect environment

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Second - the bringing together of England's largest landowners in England to form a 'National Estate for Nature' across 10% of England's land.

The group will report to the Environment Secretary on the actions being taken to deliver for nature and people - driving forward action.

New forest to be created in west of England, with 20m trees planted by 2050 Western Forest will cover 2,500 hectares across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Bristol

First - the government has announced a new 'Western Forest' across the west of England. Huge opportunities for people, nature, health but also for more public-private partnerships on nature to flourish!

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

📣Some really exciting news for nature over the last 24 hours.

It's really good to see a more strategic approach to nature's recovery and government partnerships working in action to deliver on the ground.

New national forest to see 20m trees planted across West by 2050 The government says the new Western Forest project will help the UK meet its tree-planting targets.

Great to see that one of three new national forests is planned for the west of England.

Positive there’s a focus on urban areas too (including Bristol) where trees are going to play a crucial role in supporting climate resilience.

BREAKING: DEFRA asks England’s biggest landowners to come up with plans to restore nature.

The new National Estate for Nature is a bold move by Labour, summoning landowners who own a tenth of the country to report on their stewardship.

With comment from me:

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Today's announcement by Kemi Badenoch - breaking the long-standing UK consensus on climate - leaves a massive hole in the political centre ground and presents a huge opportunity for Labour to take advantage of. 🧵

LCEF are delighted to announce the upcoming launch of our new essay collection! 'The Return of Spring' will explore the historical links between the labour movement and environmentalism. 1/2

Pleased to have contributed an essay to this forthcoming collection by @lcefuk.bsky.social - about Labour, environmentalism, and the development of what @matthewjkelly.bsky.social has termed the 'Nature State':

bsky.app/profile/lcef...

There are political challenges of over-reliance on energy imports.

With geopolitical uncertainty as it is, energy independence resonates with the public, the risk with current biomass model is that this undermines it.

No exodus to state sector after VAT added to private school fees, say English councils Most say they have seen no impact on applications for year 7 places, despite warnings from those against policy

No exodus to state sector after VAT added to private school fees, say English councils

Most say they have seen no impact on applications for year 7 places, despite warnings from those against policy

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Well done @guyshrubsole.bsky.social.

Huge opportunity for @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social and a Labour government to bring more transparency and, ultimately accountability, to land ownership.

Could be game changing.

On today's big Drax decision by govt - very pleased to see the principles LCEF has been pushing for recognised in this new deal.

✅Profit loopholes closed
✅Drastic reduction of subsidies and supply
✅100% sustainability supply chain standards
✅Windfall tax on excessive profits

It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve been forced to write to Claire Coutinho again.

Thanks Tom. This article was about opening up that debate to be honest. As you say, there's no easy answer - especially ahead of 2030 - but avoiding confronting the tricky questions has arguably gone on too long.

Sticking with Drax could undermine net zero. Labour must be brave The decision on whether to end Drax's energy subsidies is not an easy one, but the Government must face up to the tough choices that the Tories dod...

The UK imports millions of tonnes of wood from overseas to burn for electricity each year & has cost billpayers billions to subsidise.

Ahead of a decision on whether to extend subsidies, I write on the political risks of subsidising biomass for Labour.

www.politicshome.com/thehouse/art...

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Labour must back British farming with leadership, ambition, and commitment. 🌹

By building trust, empowering farmers, and driving a bold vision for resilience and renewal, Labour can ensure farming thrives at the heart of a secure, sustainable UK food system.

@lcefuk.bsky.social

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Healthier soils + biodiversity are essential for resilience to droughts + floods. They can also reduce need for costly inputs.

Labour must fund ELM + make it work for *all* farmers

But supply chain actors like food manufacturers & retailers will play a key role too

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Trust will be earned by delivering on key promises: protecting farmers in trade deals, prioritising local and sustainable food in public procurement, and fair contracts for growers and producers

Gov should be bold in this space. This is how Labour backs British farming

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We need ambition + commitment

Labour can seize the opportunity to transform farming into a resilient, diverse sector

Modern farmers, *including tenants*, will mitigate floods, host renewables and restore nature and must be rewarded by both public and private finance

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3⃣Leadership

Recent announcements on supply chains and Food Strategy by Defra SoS Steve Reed are really promising

But farming must be a priority across Gov. A cross-departmental approach to the Food Strategy, LUF and Farming Roadmap would ensure coherence and inspire confidence

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2⃣ Foundations - the Land Use Framework will be fundamental

It will direct investment and shape how land contributes to infrastructure, nature + food. Community engagement + alignment with other spatial strategies + Gov objectives (inc. industrial strategy) are crucial.