The government’s spring statement announced today addresses two subjects that have a big impact on our natural environment – plastics and housing:

Dr Lissa Batey, Senior Living Seas Officer of The Wildlife Trusts said:

"We welcome the Government’s commitment to do more to tackle plastic waste. We would encourage people to respond to the government’s consultation on how to use the tax system to encourage responsible use. Following the success of the plastic bag tax, we feel that a tax on single use plastics could make a real difference. Every year millions of tonnes of plastic enters the natural environment and is doing terrible damage to our rivers, seas and the wildlife that depends on these habitats.”

Dr Sue Young, Head of Land Use Planning and Ecological Networks said:

“If housing development is planned and built in the right way and in the right place, it can be good for nature: this is good for the health, wellbeing and economic success of society. It is essential that the Government’s investment programme in housing protects our remaining precious wildlife havens, supports the recovery of nature and seeks to provide people with homes that have access to nature on their doorstep.”