Thank you for writing to me about the importance of protecting our environment and local nature, following the woeful package of policies set out in the recent mini budget.

This budget was a reckless gamble, which cost working people and families across South Yorkshire dearly. This is not a plan for growth, but a plan to reward the already wealthy through abolishing the top rate of income tax. A return to the trickle down, Tory economics of the past.

As I am sure you will have seen, following the disastrous reaction from the market and public, the Tories have finally taken steps to undo much of the budget and we now have our third Prime Minister in seven weeks.

However, while Jeremy Hunt, the new Chancellor, has taken the decision to remove many of Liz Truss’s dangerous economic policies, he has decided to retain their investment zone policy.

I completely share your concerns regarding the potential damage these investment zones could cause to our environment. Recently the Woodland Trust has warned bluntly that this policy could put ancient woodlands under threat.

It is deeply disappointing that local councils have been made to come forward without full details available on supply side reforms that have potentially significant impacts on the availability of affordable housing, workers’ rights and environmental standards in our constituencies. Nor has the government provided any estimates on how much investment zones could contribute to growth, both locally and nationally.

I have a number of outstanding concerns and questions, which need urgent clarification from the Government. One of my main concerns is the potential of watering down environmental standards and reduction of affordable housing.

In its current state, this policy would do nothing to achieve growth nor support hardworking families struggling in the economic chaos caused by the mini budget.

More widely I am very worried about the future of our environment under any version of a Tory Government, who have proven over the past 12 years they care little for dealing with the realities of climate change.

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.

Britain urgently needs to tackle the causes of climate change, invest in real renewable solutions to our energy supply, and protect nature across the country.

Therefore, I am really proud of Labour’s bold new policy announcements from our recent Party Conference. We have committed to achieving 100% clean power by 2030, establishing a publicly owned British Energy Company, ending 90% of sewage discharges by 2030 and quadrupling our offshore wind capacity by 2030 to name a few.

These policies are part of Labour’s vision for a UK that is focused on protecting our environment for future generations, not destroying our woodlands and nature for a quick profit.

I can assure you that I will hold the Government accountable for this policy’s negative potential impacts and will work with my colleagues to urge them to reverse this decision.