Environmental Protection and Green Growth

I thank the hon. Gentleman, for whom I have great regard. He has added ““excoriate”” to ““prescient”” and ““canard”” in the lexicon that we are being treated to this afternoon, but I fear that he was listening to a different speech from that which I heard. Twenty-nine leading conservation charities, in their ““Nature Check”” analysis published this month, have criticised the Government for failing to show leadership on the natural environment. In their fair and balanced conclusion, they say:"““Whilst the Coalition has done well as a champion for the natural environment on the international stage””—" so, ticking the box there—"““at home its commitment to being the 'greenest Government ever' is in danger of being undermined. This assessment raises profound questions over the Government's ability and willingness to deliver its green commitments, let alone to set out a long-term, coherent strategy to reverse biodiversity decline by 2020 and meet the needs of the natural environment alongside economy recovery.””" So, when it comes to delivery, there are serious questions. Let us look at some key figures, which the RSPB has drawn from recent reports, on the level of the challenge. It states that"““43% of priority habitat and 31% of priority habitats in England are declining; 304 species in England were red-listed in 2007, because of severe decline (more than 50% loss over 25 years) more would be added by an audit today; and less than 37% of SSSIs in England…are in a favourable condition.””" That illustrates the challenge and need with which we are confronted. Business wants certainty to invest in green jobs and new technology, yet this Tory Government are failing to provide the certainty that industry needs—[Hon. Members: ““Coalition.””] I tend to think of the coalition as a Conservative Government. That is what we see all the time when Members go through the Lobbies. There was much progress under the Labour Government, but there is still much more to make, and that is the challenge for a new Government—to pick the baton up and take the race forward. I am afraid that the Conservatives, however, threaten much of the progress that Labour made on green growth, sustainable development and the environment. They have left a trail of broken green promises. Since the time of the huskies, we have had almost a ““For Sale”” sign up over many of our natural assets, and support for public access and enjoyment of the countryside has weakened. Things to which people should have a right are challenged and are in danger because of this Government's position. Labour created two new national parks, which is great witness of Labour's commitment. The Tories, on the other hand, have cut funding by 28.5%, meaning that visitor centres will close, parking charges will rise and nature trails will be left unkempt. This is a serious time for the environment, so it is time for the Government to step up to the plate and deliver for it, both in this country and internationally.