UPDATED: HTA welcomes Caroline Voaden MP’s Bill to champion green spaces and environmental horticulture
Caroline Voaden MP:
"While it was great to present my Green Spaces Bill to the House for its Second Reading last Friday, unfortunately, it’s unlikely to continue any further in this parliamentary session.
"This doesn’t diminish the Bill’s importance nor its ambitions. The UK remains one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and access to nature is declining rapidly despite the well-established benefits it has for our health and wellbeing.
"I want to thank the HTA for their support during the development of this Bill, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government Alex Norris who met with me to discuss the value of what the Green Spaces Bill called for.
"He agreed to continue a conversation about the principles and aims of the Green Spaces Bill, and to that end I hope to organise a roundtable with him, and organisations involved in the horticultural industry, on how we can ensure the Government prioritises access to green spaces."
3 March 2025
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has welcomed the introduction of Caroline Voaden MP’s Private Members’ Bill, which will have its 2nd reading on Friday 7 March and seeks to establish a Government Office for Urban Green Spaces. This proposed initiative would unlock the full potential of green spaces across the UK, recognising their vital role in economic growth, health and wellbeing, environmental resilience, and climate adaptation.
Green spaces contribute billions to the UK economy, with environmental horticulture alone generating £8.4 billion in tax revenues and supporting over 720,000 jobs. Yet, these essential spaces and the industries that sustain them often fall between policy gaps. A coordinated, cross-government approach is needed to ensure their benefits are fully realised.
Caroline Voaden MP (Lib Dem, South Devon) said:
“As the MP for South Devon, I’m really aware of how important and beneficial green spaces are. That’s why I’m bringing a Bill to the House of Commons calling for an Office of Green Spaces, which will bring together different parts of Government to help promote green spaces, particularly in urban areas. We know that these spaces are really important for mental health, for our physical wellbeing, they're great for the environment, and they create green jobs. So, I'm really hoping that the Government will back this Bill.”
Jennifer Pheasey, Head of Public Affairs at the HTA, added:
“We strongly support this Bill, which recognises the need for policymakers to work in a new way to maximise the opportunity of environmental horticulture and green spaces in tackling climate change, improving public health, and driving economic growth. The UK’s gardens, parks, and green corridors are not just nice-to-have amenities—they are essential infrastructure. An Office for Green Spaces, as a new cross-government body and as recommended by both the EFRA Select Committee and the House of Lords Horticulture Inquiry, would bring together planning, health, environment, and other sectors to deliver real growth in our green spaces. By establishing this dedicated government office to oversee and champion these spaces, we can secure their future and unlock their full potential for communities and businesses alike. We at the Horticultural Trades Association back this important initiative.”
The HTA looks forward to working with policymakers to ensure the Bill progresses and delivers meaningful support for green spaces and the horticulture sector.
