It is really troubling that the UK continues to be among the most nature-depleted countries in the world. More than ever I believe we need urgent policy that will deliver for both the planet’s wildlife and its people.

Research by the Natural History Museum shows that the world has passed the safe limit for humanity in terms of biodiversity loss, and the UK’s score places it in the bottom 10%. It is very concerning that 11 of the 47 native mammals to Great Britain are at risk of extinction.

While we absolutely need biodiversity targets, I do not believe the ambition to halt the decline of species abundance in the UK is bold enough.

Instead we must be nature-positive and should be aiming for a dramatic incline in species abundance.

The Environment Act 2021 gives the Government the power to amend the Habitats Regulations and the Government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill will give it the ability to make regulations on how the Regulations interact with other environmental reports known as Environmental Outcome Reports. I worry the Bill as drafted is likely only to further erode the legitimacy of the planning system in the public’s eyes by downgrading the status and the scope of local planning.

More widely, the approach taken towards water pollution in our natural environment is unacceptable. Not one English river is in a healthy condition. We need a plan to tackle raw sewage discharges and improve our sewage system. Continued fines alongside continued discharges show that the behaviour of water companies is not changing. People should not have to worry about being able to enjoy our waters.

I supported efforts to include a duty on water companies to take all reasonable steps to mitigate storm overflows, which were voted down by the Government.

In my view, its recent storms overflow plan is insufficient and does not eliminate sewage dumping into our waterways. I am concerned its improvement target could produce a further 4.8 million sewage spill events in our country by 2035.