by Holly Chapman | 10 Nov 25 | News
The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has begun its inquiry into drought preparedness in England by hearing from scientists and representatives from the Adaptation Committee of the Climate Change Committee.
Giving evidence on Wednesday 12 November at 10am, head of climate services at the Met Office professor Jason Lowe OBE will join professor Alan MacDonald, head of groundwater, British Geological Survey and Jamie Hannaford, principle Hydrologist at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
Questions from the committee will cover monitoring and reporting drought risk, data and knowledge gaps for improving drought resilience and how climate change will affect the frequency, type or severity of future droughts.
They will also highlight the engagement between the scientific community and different agencies to ensure the latest understanding of drought is shared and understood.
Others giving evidence include Baroness Brown of Cambridge and chair of the Adaptation Committee within the Climate Change Committee and Dr Richard Millar, head of apparition within the Climate Change Committee.
The session can be followed live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.
The committee’s call for evidence is still open until 24 November, and more information can be accessed here.
by Aidan Williams | 08 Nov 24 | News
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has once again held a drop-in showcase in parliament, which gave around 60 MPs, peers, and staff the chance to engage with it and other industry representatives.
It also gave the opportunity for them to hear directly about the impact of key policies, from border operations to tax changes, and how these are impacting horticultural businesses.
The timing this year was particularly pertinent, as it came just a few days after the Autumn Budget.
“The HTA’s Plants in Parliament event gave parliamentarians from across the political divide a chance to hear first-hand some of the challenges and opportunities facing UK horticulture and see the fantastic products our members are delivering,” says Fran Barnes, chief executive of the HTA.
“We are a sector that mostly consists of SMEs and many family-owned businesses. By taking both plants and some of the people behind them into Parliament, we were able to speak directly about the impact of key policies on the sector’s ability to deliver for UK green spaces, jobs and investment.”
The focus was on how we can unlock growth in horticulture and the extensive benefits of the industry across multiple policy areas, such as the economy, trade, environment, health, and wellbeing.
Parliamentarians across the UK had the chance to engage directly with the HTA, whose members across horticultural or landscaping businesses have a presence in 567 UK constituencies.
HTA members Jonathan Whittemore of Johnsons Nurseries and Peter McDermott and Henry Williams of You Garden Limited also shared insights on how policymakers can best support the industry.
Ben Goldsborough, MP, says: “It was a privilege to support the environmental horticulture industry drop-in event in parliament this year. The commitment and expertise of our growers and horticultural businesses continue to enhance not only our landscapes but our economy and wellbeing.
“It’s essential now that we explore ways for government to support and sustain this vital industry for the benefit of our communities and future generations.”
