Adrian Ramsay joins Cats Protection in Parliament to discuss cat welfare
Adrian Ramsay joins Cats Protection in Parliament to discuss cat welfare
Adrian Ramsay MP for Waveney Valley joined fellow MPs and members of the House of Lords this week at a Cats Protection reception to discuss the UK’s most pressing cat welfare issues.
The UK’s leading cat charity hosted the parliamentary reception to raise awareness of many of the issues affecting the UK’s 10.4 million pet cats and the people who care for them.
A key issue raised at the event was exploitative cat breeding practices. According to Cats Protection, 36% of owned cats in the UK are pedigrees, which is up from 23% just five years ago1, and this includes an increasing number of “designer cats” with extreme characteristics like folded ears, flat faces or hairless bodies which will cause them chronic health problems and an extremely poor quality of life.
The charity is calling for a ban on the breeding of these cats with extreme characteristics, as well as a crackdown on sick and suffering cats being sold online and recently delivered a petition with over 60,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street calling for cat breeding regulations.
Other topics raised at the reception included a Cats Protection call to ban electric shock collars and to restrict fireworks to minimize stress to cats while Adrian Ramsay also spoke to the charity’s volunteers and staff about their essential cat rehoming, neutering and education work.
Adrian Ramsay said: “It was a privilege to meet Cats Protection’s volunteers and staff and hear about their vital work rehoming, neutering and caring for cats across the country. Sharing my home with our rescue cat, Bella, I know first-hand the joy that cats bring to families.
The Cats Protection reception was invaluable in shining a light on serious welfare issues still facing cats, from the rise of ‘designer cats’ bred with extreme characteristics that cause lifelong suffering, to the stress caused by fireworks and the cruelty of electric shock collars. I support Cats Protection’s calls for much tighter regulation of cat breeding and ending kitten smuggling, and I’ll continue to back their work to improve the lives of cats up and down the country.”
Madison Rogers, Associate Director of Advocacy, Campaigns and External Affairs said:
“We were delighted to bring MP and Peers together at our parliamentary reception to shine a light on some of the most pressing issues affecting cats today.
“From the urgent need for effective cat breeding regulations to prevent exploitation and suffering, to calls for a ban on electronic shock collars and stronger restrictions on fireworks, it’s clear that more must be done to protect cat welfare.
“Cats Protection is proud to make a difference nationally and in local constituencies through the dedication of our employees and volunteers. We look forward to working closely with parliamentarians to ensure cats and the people who care for them receive the protection and support they deserve.”
Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and helps 191,000 cats through a national network of 182 volunteer-run teams and 31 centres.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
Picture of Adrian at the Cats Protection reception & with his Cat bella are avalible for use at this link https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fM9VDfgxD748HqyxQrMP8ovC7PhBYkw_?usp=sharing
Cats Protection is Charity No. 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland). A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (06772997). Registered office National Cat Centre, Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 7TT.
Founded as the Cats Protection League in 1927, the charity adopted the name Cats Protection in 1998. We ask that you use the name Cats Protection when referring to the charity in all published material.
More information about the work of Cats Protection can be found at www.cats.org.uk
Adrian Ramsay MP asks the Department for Justice why there is a £2m by-election for the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner when the role will be abolished in 2028.
Adrian Ramsay MP asks the Department for Justice why there is a £2m by-election for the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner when the role will be abolished in 2028.
In a written question to the minister, Adrian asked 'To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to a) remove the requirement for the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner post to be filled, b) provide for the necessary functions of that role to be carried out by the County Council Police and Crime Panel prior to the abolition of the Police and Crime Commissioner post in 2028, and c) ensure that the Council Police and Crime Panel have the necessary i) support ii) recourses to undertake these additional tasks.'
Adrian added
"Holding a £2m by-election for the Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner makes little sense when that role will be abolished in 2028.
I’ve asked the Government to remove the requirement for the role to be filled and to allow the Police and Crime Panel to take over."
Green MP Adrian Ramsay asks the Prime Minister to commit to publishing two vital reports warning that our food and water systems are on course for catastrophic failure.
Green MP Adrian Ramsay asks the Prime Minister to commit to publishing two vital reports warning that our food and water systems are on course for catastrophic failure.
Adrian asked the Prime Minister.
‘A suppressed DEFRA report concluded that, without transformational change, our food and water systems are on course for catastrophic failure from 2030.
Another suppressed Joint Intelligence Committee assessment concluded there is a ‘high likelihood’ of ecosystem collapse, putting food production at risk.
Does the Prime Minister recognise that many of us across the House are committed to working collaboratively to address these urgent challenges - and will he commit to the publication of these two reports in full?’
In response, the Prime Minister said.
‘Well, I agree that we must act to protect ecosystems that underpin our food supply and our way of life, and I’m really proud that under this Government the UK is back playing a leading part on climate change and restoring nature. ’
Reacting to the Prime Minister's response, Adrian said: “I am deeply disappointed that the Prime Minister did not commit to publishing the reports in full.”
Ends
Notes to the editor
The suppressed report, entitled “The status of Defra’s critical systems to 2030 and beyond,” was written by the now-disbanded DEFRA futures civil servant unit for the incoming Government. It warns that there is a realistic possibility that, by 2030, the UK’s food systems, water supplies and natural ecosystems could collapse.
The report is ‘almost certain’ that DEFRA’s critical systems are on a ‘decline and collapse trajectory’, meaning that without transformational change, there is a realistic possibility that by 2030 our food, water and natural ecosystems are at risk of catastrophic collapse with a high degree of confidence.
The report was commissioned to inform the then incoming Government but was not included in ministerial handover briefings.
A separate report, the Joint Intelligence Committee’s National Security Assessment, stated that biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse pose a threat to national security. The report lays out how regional instability throughout the world will affect the UK.
A delayed redacted version of the report was published in January only after a Freedom of Information request from Green Alliance. Adrian Ramsay has repeatedly called for a Commons debate in its contents.
Green MP warns Health Bill could silence patients' voices
Green MP warns Health Bill could silence patients' voices
Adrian Ramsay, Green MP for Waveney Valley, voices concern over the proposed abolition of independent patient and public voices such as Healthwatch.
Speaking during the Health Bill debate earlier this week, Adrian highlighted concerns from local health groups. He said
“It beggars’ belief that, as currently drafted, the Health Bill abolishes the statutory duty that underpins independent patient and public voice, including the entire network of Local Healthwatch organisations.
“The Bill risks weakening accountability across the health and care system. It removes clear protections for independent scrutiny, including powers to conduct visits to health and social care settings. The Bill fails to specify who will be responsible for maintaining these vital functions in future.
“For more than 50 years, Governments of all stripes have recognised the importance of an independent voice for patients. Organisations such as Healthwatch in Norfolk and Suffolk play a crucial role in ensuring that patients are heard, and services are held to account.
“This bill risks ending that long-standing commitment. The Government must rectify this and guarantee that patients continue to have a strong, independent voice at the heart of our health and care system.”
ENDS
Full intervention is available here https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-06-01/debates/A2EAF490-72AB-4F7E-998F-3108BD40F89A/HealthBill - contribution-72F15BB3-2F18-418D-923A-CEF45E2B982E
Green MP forces the Government to acknowledge reports which warn of serious risks to the UK's national security.
Green MP forces the Government to acknowledge reports which warn of serious risks to the UK's national security.
Adrian Ramsay, Green Party MP for Waveney Valley, said.
"While Westminster obsesses over by-elections and leadership contests, a suppressed civil service report warns that within years our food and water systems could fail. I've forced the Government to acknowledge a suppressed report on ecosystem collapse. But Ministers still aren't facing up to the gravity and scale of the crisis."
Adrian Ramsay MP has challenged Ministers in Parliament over two suppressed Government-commissioned reports warning of serious risks to the UK's national security, including ecosystem collapse, biodiversity loss, food security and water supplies.
During the exchange, Adrian highlighted a report revealed byThe Times, produced by DEFRA civil servants, which warned that there is a realistic possibility that by 2030 the UK's food systems, water supplies and natural ecosystems could face collapse. The report was commissioned to inform the then incoming Government but was not included in ministerial handover briefings.
Questioning Ministers in the Chamber, Adrian said:
"Turning to a second report setting out grave risks to our national security, DEFRA civil servants have set out there's a realistic possibility that by 2030 our food, water and natural ecosystems are at risk of collapse. This could not be more stark. An article in The Times states that this was the conclusion of a 2024 report commissioned to inform the new Government, but it was not included in handover briefings. So can the Minister confirm if she has seen this second report, and what action is her department taking to address its stark findings?"
The Minister confirmed that she had not seen the report, although the Farming Minister had.
Adrian challenged the adequacy of that response, saying:
"I'm afraid the Minister's reply does not get to grips with either the scale or the gravity of these issues. The report makes clear that environmental policies on their own will not address the dire nature of these systemic issues. We need transformational change, which is about cross-Government work to address the risks outlined in the reports."
Adrian continued:
"This is not simply an environmental issue. It is a matter of national resilience and security. The systems that provide our food, clean water and healthy natural environment underpin every aspect of our economy and society. When official Government assessments warn that these systems are at risk of collapse, Ministers must respond with a serious cross-government plan.
"I will continue to raise these issues until the Government and Parliament are addressing them with the urgency they demand."
ENDS
Notes to the editor
Times article https://www.thetimes.com/article/381266e2-4282-4b0b-ab68-c2beb36fe75c?shareToken=9866f130f6bcc1b627d973b510a762ad
The full question and answer is available here.
https://parliamentlive.tv/Download/Index/733d1ffa-e428-44a7-bb08-44062a48babc
The first report referred to is the Joint Intelligence Committee’s National Security Assessment published in January 2026 which stated that biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse pose a threat to national security. This report was only published after a Freedom of Information request by Green Alliance. Since January, Adrian Ramsay MP has repeatedly called for a debate in Parliament on its findings.
Green Party MP Adrian Ramsay calls for a dedicated Climate Protection Unit in Number 10 in response to government watchdog warning way of life is under threat from heat, flooding and drought
Green Party MP Adrian Ramsay calls for a dedicated Climate Protection Unit in Number 10 in response to government watchdog warning way of life is under threat from heat, flooding and drought
Reacting to the Climate Change Committee (CCC) Report ‘A Well-Adapted UK’ , Adrian Ramsay MP said:
“The most fundamental duty of any government is to keep the public safe, and yet today’s CCC report shows we are sleepwalking towards catastrophe and the government is failing to meet the moment.
“The impacts of the climate and nature emergency are already being felt by communities across the UK, with increased food prices, more severe flooding and dangerous heatwaves. From our food and water supply to daily essential services, continued inaction is putting us all at risk. By 2050, the CCC’s report warns that up to 92% of homes could face overheating, peak river flows could rise by up to 45%, and water supply shortfalls could exceed 5 billion litres a day. Our children will not forgive us if the Government and Parliament fail to take these fundamental risks seriously due to being distracted by current political dramas.
“That is why today I am calling on the Prime Minister to establish a dedicated Climate Protection Unit in Number 10, with the sole purpose of working cross-department to drive forward the recommendations in this report.
“Because this report must mark a turning point. The Government must take concrete steps now to protect people’s lives and ensure our country is properly prepared for the growing risks posed by extreme heat, flooding and food shortages. That means investing in flood defences and nature-based solutions, preparing for extreme heat with a big focus on adapting our homes and workplaces, providing tangible support for farmers to ensure farming remains viable, and urgently adapting our infrastructure to prevent snowballing disruption across every facet of daily life. If ministers fail to take real action and deliver before the next general election, they will knowingly be putting lives at risk. The Government has been handed a plan. It is now vital they deliver it.”
ENDS
Green Party MPs’ Response to SEND Reform Consultation
-
The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP
Secretary of State for Education
Dear Bridget,
We are writing as Green Party Members of Parliament in response to the latest consultation
on proposed reforms to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system.
Every child has the right to dignity, respect and the support they need to develop their full
potential. But the current SEND system is leaving far too many children and young people
unsupported and forcing countless families into a constant struggle just to access the help
their child needs. We therefore welcome the government’s ambitions for educational
reform, including earlier intervention and more inclusive mainstream education.
However, aspiration is not enough. Meaningful reform to the SEND system requires
sustained investment in people, capacity and culture. SEND reform will only succeed in
building a genuinely inclusive education system if the government protects legal rights and
provides urgent clarity on the details of implementation. Above all, the success of these
reforms will depend on whether they are accompanied by a bold workforce strategy that
delivers real staffing support on the ground.
Below, we have set out some specific concerns with the current plan for SEND reform.
Prioritise workforce capacity
The success of any attempt to reform the SEND system will depend on the capacity of the
workforce that delivers it. The number of children with Special Educational Needs continues
to rise rapidly (DfE, 2025), placing increased pressure on already stretched school staff. At
the same time, there are well-documented workforce shortages across the entire SEND
system, with the demand for teaching assistants, specialist staff and educational
psychologists significantly outstripping supply. Recent analysis by the Education Policy
Institute suggests that local authorities (LAs) in England would need to hire 1,400 additional
educational psychologists just to meet current levels of need (EPI, 2026), far exceeding the
extra 200 per year proposed in the government’s current plan. Meanwhile, there is a
longstanding nationwide teacher shortage, particularly in further education colleges, with
high workload and stress driving many staff to leave the profession (DfE, 2025; NAO, 2025).
While proposals such as Experts at Hand and Inclusion Bases have the potential to
significantly strengthen SEND support in mainstream schools, they will require a well-
resourced, highly motivated and appropriately trained workforce with sufficient capacity to
deliver them. As part of its plan for SEND reform, the government must therefore urgently
set out a long-term coherent workforce strategy that addresses the interlinked crises of
recruitment, retention, pay, training, wellbeing and workload.Protect legal rights
Children and young people with SEND must retain strong and enforceable legal rights
to the support they need. We are deeply concerned that the newly proposed
Individual Support Plans (ISPs) will not carry the same statutory duty to deliver the
provision laid out in them as Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which under
current proposals would be reserved only for children with the most complex needs.
This represents a fundamental shift away from enforceable legal rights towards a
system where support is increasingly at schools’ discretion, with significant
consequences for consistency and equality of provision.
While we welcome efforts to provide support for a wider group of pupils, this must
not come at the expense of accountability for those pupils. We echo the Education
Committee’s warning that “SEND reforms must not be based on any withdrawal of
statutory entitlements for children and young people” (Education Committee, 2025).
Watering down legal protections risks undermining parental confidence and
weakening families’ ability to secure appropriate support for their children.
We are particularly concerned that these changes may disproportionately affect
those least able to advocate for themselves within the system. The new ISPs must
therefore be supported by a clear statutory duty to deliver the provision they
specify, and it is vital that families retain a robust right of appeal.
We are also concerned that where legal duties do exist, structural bottlenecks across
education and health services mean that they will continue to be inconsistently
implemented. The principles set out in this plan must therefore be accompanied by
more detailed operational plans for ensuring compliance and delivery, including
timely assessments, diagnosis and early intervention.
‘Complex needs’ and EHCPs
The government’s current plan for SEND reform would restrict access to EHCPs and
highly specialised provision to those with ‘complex needs.
’ We are concerned that the
meaning of this term is not currently clear enough to enable adequate scrutiny or
confidence.
At present, there is no definition of what constitutes ‘complex needs,
’ nor how
decisions will be made about who qualifies for specialist support. The current plan
suggests that forthcoming need profiles within ‘Specialist Provision Packages’ will
define complex needs going forward. But the draft outline of Specialist Provision
Packages simply raises further questions about how these will work, particularly since
some children may require elements of support from multiple packages. Without
detailed examples and transparent criteria, there is a significant risk of inconsistency,
exclusion and increased local disputes.This lack of clarity also makes it difficult for families, schools, teachers and indeed
Parliament to adequately assess the likely impact of the reforms. The government must
urgently publish detailed guidance on who will qualify for EHCPs and Specialist Provision
Packages, including worked case studies. Clear definitions and operational detail are
essential to ensure the system is fair, consistent and trusted by families.
Culture change and co-production
Progress towards greater inclusion must be driven as much by culture and practice as by
structural reform. Too many children and young people continue to face barriers created
by inflexible behaviour policies, limited understanding of neurodiversity and
environments that do not meet their sensory needs. Without addressing these issues,
changes to systems and funding will have limited impact in the classroom.
We therefore welcome the proposed investment in new guidance, National Inclusion
Standards and SEND training for all staff in schools, colleges and early years settings. This
must include evidence-based guidance on how to design accessible and inclusive sensory
environments and how to embed inclusive practice in behaviour and classroom
management policies. It is essential that this guidance and the National Inclusion
Standards are genuinely co-produced. Tokenistic engagement and consultation are not
enough: the government needs to ensure that children and young people with SEND,
alongside their parents, carers and educators, are treated as equal partners in the design,
delivery and evaluation of SEND policy at every level. Lived experience must not be an
afterthought but a guiding principle of the system.
Special school capacity
While we support the government’s ambition to make mainstream education more
inclusive, this must be accompanied by a sufficient supply of special school places for
those children and young people whose needs cannot be met in mainstream settings. At
present, many areas face acute shortages of special school places and around two thirds
of special schools are at or over capacity (DfE, 2026), leaving families without appropriate
local provision. Increasing specialist support within mainstream, including through
Specialist Bases, will help to reduce reliance on special school placements. However, even
with these improvements in mainstream settings, demand for special school places is
likely to continue to outstrip capacity in some places, especially in the short term.
We are concerned that a rigid national push towards mainstream inclusion risks
overlooking this reality and failing those children for whom mainstream settings are not
suitable. Provision must be flexible, locally planned and responsive to need, rather than
driven by a one-size-fits-all national model.Tackle profiteering
At present, exploitative private companies are profiting from the SEND crisis by buying up
special schools and services and charging excessively high placement fees to LAs,
exacerbating an already unsustainable situation. Urgent action is desperately needed to
address this blatant profiteering.
While the government’s proposal to introduce national funding bands for independent
special school placements is a welcome step in the right direction, the current plans are
lacking in detail on what constitutes a “reasonable price” or how these bands will be set.
Without such clarity, it is difficult to be confident that these measures will meaningfully
curb excessive costs or protect public funds. We urge the government to be bold:
independent providers must not be allowed to continue charging, on average, more than
double the cost of state-funded special school provision (NAO, 2024).
Alongside stronger regulation and scrutiny of the independent sector, there must be a
rapid expansion of state-funded special school capacity to reduce reliance on
independent special schools. While the current plan for SEND reform proposes a total
£3.7 billion of capital investment, we are concerned by the lack of detail concerning how
much of this money will be invested in new special school capacity and how many new
state-funded special school places will be created. To ensure that special school provision
does not become increasingly dominated by the private sector, the government must
urgently proceed with building the state-funded special schools that are currently
planned for construction.
LAs must also be empowered with streamlined access to funding for increasing state-
funded special school capacity. We are concerned that requiring LAs to provide detailed
justification for using SEND payments to invest in new special school places instead of
mainstream settings will only create unnecessary delays. The government should trust
councils to exercise local democratic oversight and make data-led decisions based on the
local situation.
Reform admissions
Narrow attainment-focused performance pressures are currently disincentivising some
schools from admitting or retaining pupils with SEND. This is exacerbating inequities in
access and requires urgent government intervention. In a recent survey, 41% of senior
school leaders reported that some local schools actively discourage applications from
children and young people with SEND (Sutton Trust, 2026). The gap in access to high-
performing schools is especially large for children with SEND who are eligible for Free
School Meals and do not have an EHCP , with top schools taking in around 36% fewer
pupils in this category than live locally (Sutton Trust, 2026).We are concerned that the current proposals for SEND reform do not do enough to
strengthen fair admissions or ensure genuine accountability across all types of school,
including academies, faith schools and free schools. Restricting access to EHCPs risks
weakening accountability in admissions even further, since EHCPs are currently one of the
main mechanisms by which LAs can direct a maintained school to admit a child or young
person with SEND.
LAs must be given stronger levers to ensure equitable access across all state-funded
schools. They should have the ability to direct placements for children with ISPs as well as
EHCPs, including at academies, faith schools and free schools where necessary.
Accountability and performance frameworks for schools must also be rebalanced so that
inclusion and wellbeing metrics are treated as equal in importance to academic
outcomes, not as secondary considerations. We desperately need a new approach that
moves away from the current high-stakes testing and exam-driven accountability culture,
which incentivises exclusion and indirect selection, towards a broader, child-centred
assessment system.
We urge the government to match its ambitions with decisive action by safeguarding legal
rights, investing in workforce and school capacity and delivering a transparent,
accountable SEND system that meets the needs of every child and family it is meant to
serve. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss these proposals further with your
Department.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ramsay MP , Waveney Valley
Dr Ellie Chowns MP , North Herefordshire
Siân Berry MP , Brighton Pavilion
Carla Denyer MP , Bristol Central
Hannah Spencer MP , Gorton & Denton
Green Party Members of Parliament
Adrian Ramsay MP reacts to worrying El Niño news
Adrian Ramsay, Green MP for Waveney Valley, reacts to today's news that record global temperatures are likely as the chance of a very strong El Niño grows.
Adrian said
"It is becoming increasingly clear that El Niño is stronger than previously expected. While its immediate impacts are being felt across the Pacific, we are likely to feel the consequences here through colder and harsher autumn and winter in the months ahead.
This is not just about the weather. Changing climate patterns will have serious long-term impacts on farming and food security. Warmer and more unstable seasons affect crop yields and growing conditions, all against the backdrop of food inflation already reaching historic highs due to the war in Iran.
The Government must come to Parliament next week and set out clearly how it is preparing for the impact on farmers, our food supply chain and households."
ENDS
Green MP and Newly Elected Councilor join residents in Weybread to protest the Cranswick expansion.
Adrian Ramsay MP for Waveney Valley & Cllr Sally Mittuch joined residents in Weybread in a peaceful protest today against plans for a large-scale chicken incubation unit in the village.
The protest will see residents and campaigners gather outside the former Crown Inn to voice concerns over agricultural giant Cranswick’s controversial planning application for a broiler chicken incubation facility.
Campaign group Communities Against Factory Farming (CAFF), which has been supporting residents opposing the application, will attend alongside members of the Weybread Community Group.
Campaigners are urging Mid Suffolk District Council’s planning committee to “Stop the Incubator” and “Save Our Pub”.
Under the plans, The Crown Inn, which has been owned by Cranswick and closed for several years, would be demolished to make way for the factory development. Residents have raised concerns about the long-term loss of an important community asset, alongside worries over increased HGV traffic, industrial activity, pollution and the wider impact on village life.
Adrian Ramsay MP said
“The impact of large-scale factory farm developments on rural communities, like the one proposed in Weybread, is becoming increasingly concerning. These enormous industrial operations are being placed in tiny villages that are just not suitable.
Residents are rightly worried about the impact of three shift working patterns, with significant numbers of HGV movements travelling through small village roads throughout the day and night.
At a time when many rural communities desperately need genuinely affordable housing and investment in local services, people are asking why yet more large-scale industrial facilities are being prioritised over developments that would actually strengthen village life and support local people.
In addition, residents in Weybread are rightly concerned about the pollution impacts of this development and the huge implications of an increasingly industrialised food system for animal welfare."
Cllr Sally Mittuch, newly elected Green Councillor for Hoxne & Eye, said.
“Our community in Weybread has already seen huge changes over the past decade, and many residents feel we are gradually losing the very character of the village we love. People move to places like Weybread because of the countryside, the peace and the strong sense of community, but increasingly those qualities are being eroded by large-scale industrial developments that are completely out of keeping with a small rural village.
Residents still feel the loss of the village pub. Rural pubs are not just businesses; they are community spaces that bring people together and help sustain village life. We are deeply worried about the growing levels of industrial traffic, noise and disturbance associated with these kinds of developments, alongside the wider environmental impacts on the River Waveney and the surrounding countryside.”
ENDS
Adrian Ramsay MP reacts to the King’s Speech, saying “What was needed was a fundamental reset”
PRESS RELEASE
Adrian Ramsay MP reacts to the King’s Speech, saying “What was needed was a fundamental reset”
Adrian Ramsay MP has criticised the Government’s King’s Speech, saying that it failed to deliver the transformative agenda needed to tackle the major challenges facing the country.
Speaking after the King’s Speech, Adrian Ramsay MP for Waveney Valley said:
“I like to be fair with this Government, but there really were not many positives in the King’s Speech. The Duty of Candour Bill absolutely should have been passed long before now. I am glad it was included because families who the state has failed, whether after Hillsborough, the Chinook helicopter crash or other state failures, deserve answers and accountability.
“The speech talked a lot about security, and there are many genuine security threats facing the country, but one area the Government continues to overlook is nature loss and ecosystem collapse. The Government’s own National Security Assessment highlighted that the decline of nature is a risk to national security.
“That matters because nature is fundamental to our quality of life and to the essentials we all rely on, clean air, clean water, food security and the stability of our economy and society. We urgently need clear legislation not only to protect nature but to restore it.
“There was also only a single reference to climate change in the speech, yet at the same time, the Government continues to back airport expansion. It simply does not make sense to dramatically increase emissions on one hand while claiming to be committed to reaching net zero on the other.
“Ultimately, this was a deeply disappointing King’s Speech. What was needed for both the country and this Government was a fundamental reset, one that delivered a transformative agenda to tackle the cost of living crisis, repair overstretched public services, restore nature and confront climate breakdown.
“The speech failed to meet that moment, and the Government now needs to think again if it is serious about addressing the scale of the challenges facing the country.”
ENDS
Adrian Ramsay MP visits the new Eye Post Office during the first week of operation.
Adrian Ramsay MP visits the new Eye Post Office during the first week of operation.
Adrian Ramsay MP visited the new Post Office in Eye during its first week of operation, marking the return of a permanent Post Office service to the town for the first time in more than two years.
The reopening follows work by District Councillor Lucy Elkin, who has worked alongside Adrian to help restore the service for residents and businesses as quickly as possible.
The new branch is being run by local postmaster Minesh Patel, who already operates the Post Office in Mendlesham.
Speaking at the Eye Post Office, Adrian Ramsay MP said:
“I’m delighted that, following a lot of behind-the-scenes work from Green Councillor Lucy Elkin, Eye now has a permanent post office again. For far too long, residents have been left without this vital service. With no bank in the town, having a post office is crucial for businesses and residents. In Parliament, I have been pushing for the restoration of local post offices, and I wish the local postmaster, Minesh Patel, all the best.”
Minesh Patel, the postmaster, said.
“I’m delighted that the Eye post office is now operating. From this week, we will be serving the community here in Eye, along with my other store in Mendlesham. I want to thank residents for the warm welcome and support we have already received.”
Cllr Lucy Elkin added.
“Since the previous Post Office closed, residents have consistently told me how important it was to restore this vital service to Eye. I am delighted that, after a great deal of work behind the scenes with Minesh, we now once again have a permanent Post Office in Eye.”
ENDS
100 days on from the landmark Joint Intelligence Committee National Security Assessment, no parliamentary debate has taken place
100 days on from the landmark Joint Intelligence Committee National Security Assessment, no parliamentary debate has taken place
Parliament must debate matter of “grave importance”, says Green MP
It has now been 100 days since the Joint Intelligence Committee published its National Security Assessment which stated that global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse is a threat to national security. Yet, there has still been no Parliamentary scrutiny. The report, which warns of serious risks to ecological stability and national security, has not been debated in Parliament.
Green MP Adrian Ramsay, Waveney Valley, first called for a debate on the report during Business Questions on 22 January. In response, the Leader of the House stated, "The member rightly points out that the report is to be welcomed. Once the report has been considered, I will look to find time for Members to debate these matters, given their importance."
Following this commitment, Adrian wrote to the Leader of the House, as well as the Cabinet Office and DEFRA, seeking clarity on when a debate would be scheduled and urging the Government to bring forward parliamentary scrutiny of the report.
He again raised the issue during questions in Parliament on 5 February and has continued to pursue it through further correspondence with Ministers and in external speeches. Despite repeated requests, there has still been no indication from the Government that a debate will be scheduled.
Speaking on the 100 days Adrian Ramsay MP said,
“It has now been 100 days since this critical report was published, following the Government's hand being forced via a Freedom of Information request. Yet Parliament has still not been allowed to properly scrutinise its findings. For an issue of such grave importance, this is completely unacceptable. At the election, the Government promised a transparency revolution: no power without accountability, and no accountability without transparency. That must apply to matters of national security and how we restore the natural environment that we all depend on. It is incumbent on the Government to have a debate immediately after the King's Speech"
ENDS
Adrian Ramsay MP seeks young people’s views on proposed social media ban.
Adrian Ramsay MP seeks young people’s views on proposed social media ban.
Adrian Ramsay, Green Party MP for Waveney Valley, has visited two secondary schools in his constituency to speak with young people and teachers about the proposed social media ban.
Speaking after both forums, Adrian said
“Access to social media for children and teenagers has been a constant topic of discussion in recent months. We all recognise the substantial risks, but we should also acknowledge the benefits of social media.
“I’ve received many welcome emails from parents expressing their views and concerns. I also felt it was important to hear directly from young people and teachers. Over the past few weeks, I have met with secondary school pupils and teachers at Harleston Sancroft and Hartismere School to hear their views and experiences.
“There was a range of views, but overall, the feeling was that there needs to be far stronger restrictions on the content that the tech firms allow on their platforms to ensure we keep young people safe online. Age restrictions need to be put in place which correspond with the content on each platform. Phones need to be set up so that a responsible adult always has control over a phone used by an under-16. And stronger resourcing of social services is needed to support those young people who are becoming vulnerable to online harms.
“These responses reinforce my own feelings on the topic, as an MP and as a parent, that it’s probably not a case of there being a total ban or not but about what restrictions are needed to keep young people safe and what is the right age for different apps. I will be responding to the Government consultation informed by these helpful discussions and will carefully follow the outcomes of the Government consultation which must inform the debate.”
Teachers who attended the roundtables also shared their perspectives, noting that, from a safeguarding standpoint,
“The majority of what we are dealing with as safeguarding leads is via social media.”
Students also had their say. One who is supportive of a ban said,
“Whilst scrolling through short-form media my phone picks up inappropriate content and restricts me from seeing it. Although scrolling is addictive, you do learn about other people’s lives.”
Others highlighted the need for balance, with one stating,
“There are games where you can make friends without insecurities, but there should also be a balance (on usage)”.
Teachers also recognised some of the benefits of social media, saying,
“Pupils gain more knowledge and power, better communication skills, especially for those with neurodivergence. [They can] gain more confidence socially via chatting online than they might get from family and friends.”
ENDS
Adrian Ramsay challenges the Government on only 39% of adults having access to NHS dentistryInbox
Adrian Ramsay challenges the Government on only 39% of adults having access to NHS dentistry
Adrian Ramsay, MP for Waveney Valley and health spokesperson for the Green MPs, questioned the Minister responsible for Dentistry: what is the Government's ambition for access to NHS Dentistry?
Adrian asked:
"The British Dental Association has highlighted that current budgets allow just 39% of adults to access NHS treatment within 2 years. Is that really the height of the Government's ambition? And if not, what percentage of access is the Government aiming for?"
In reply, Minister Stephen Kinnock said, “We are working closely with the BDA on long-term contract reform. That’s got to be about getting the balance right so that dentists are incentivised to do NHS dentistry, and we also maximise access. Fundamental contract reform. A public consultation is coming up before the summer, and I’m sure he’ll want to take part."
After questioning the Minister, Adrian said, "Of course, we need dental contract reform and also training places, and I've been actively pushing for those things. But if we are serious about NHS dentistry being accessible to everyone, the Government's ambition has got to be much greater than 39% of adults - and that is going to have to mean more funding."
ENDS
RE: Windfall tax on those profiting from the war on Iran to tackle the cost of living crisis
-
Dear Prime Minister and Chancellor,
RE: Windfall tax on those profiting from the war on Iran to tackle the cost of living crisis
Across the UK, millions are barely staying afloat. Energy bills are bursting family budgets, childcare costs are washing away wages, businesses are struggling, and housing costs have skyrocketed. Many of the greatest problems people in the UK are facing right now will intensify as the impacts of the war on Iran continue to ripple through the economy.
The US-Israeli strikes on Iran as part of an illegal war, have caused chaos, killed civilians and have triggered the largest ever disruption to fuel supply, according to the International Energy Agency, sending crude oil costs surging over $100 per barrel in recent days. This has only worsened after the recent attacks on gasfields and LNG processing facilities in Iran and Qatar, which have caused gas prices to jump to four-year highs, with the impacts to be felt for many months and years to come.
Domestically, UK gas prices have more than doubled since late February. They are now at their highest since August 2022 and are likely to drive up energy bills unless action is taken to protect households and businesses when the next price cap is determined. Meanwhile, households are already grappling with the impacts of jumping fuel price increases, making simply getting by increasingly expensive. At the same time, experts are predicting major disruption to production and imports for agriculture inputs like fertilisers, risking further affordability issues for food and drink essentials in the months to come.
This crisis makes clear that the UK must end its reliance on fuels imported from overseas and invest in domestic renewable energy, to ensure British energy security is not left susceptible to global conflicts, disasters, or trade disputes. This will also help accelerate the UK’s transition toward a low-carbon economy, thereby reducing the likelihood of further economic shocks.
Sadly, there are some clear winners of the war on Iran. Oil and gas giants, big banks, agricultural input industries and defence companies will likely make record profits, at the expense of enormous human suffering. In recent crises, like those triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine, the wealthiest households and super-rich amassed even greater fortunes - to the tune of hundreds of billions of pounds, while millions were left struggling. Time after time, when wars break out, or major crises unfold, companies across different sectors, alongside super-rich individuals, make eye-watering sums of money. North Sea energy firms are set to make bumper profits. According to new data, for every month that energy prices remain at 18th March 2026 levels, profits could result in over £200m in tax revenue through the Energy Profits Levy. Banks reap profits due to the Bank of England’s misguided decision to raise interest rates in response to supply-side inflation. Higher rates are paid by borrowers - whose mortgage costs are already soaring off the back of the Iran crisis - and the Bank of England itself, which pays interest on the risk-free reserves banks hold with them. The latter cost is ultimately borne by the Treasury, currently to the tune of £20bn per year.
It is not right that extraordinary profits, generated off the backs of ordinary people during periods of crisis, are siphoned off into private hands and corporate bank accounts. All whilst households and businesses are in urgent need of substantial support to cope with the affordability crisis. The government’s own cost of living champion has called for measures to prevent profiteering. We urge you to make this crisis a turning point for the UK. Taking bold action to systemically reform our tax system and invest in our energy security will build resilience in our economy to
withstand future shocks and make life affordable for people and businesses in the UK.
We are writing to you today, as leading organisations from civil society, urging you to:
Ensure a permanent and strengthened energy profits mechanism which captures all excess profits made by oil and gas companies - including windfalls during crises - and close all loopholes which encourage further investment in harmful fossil fuels.
Introduce a levy on banks specifically targeting UK retail net income, profits they have made directly from the UK public.
Apply additional excess profits (windfall) taxes to companies in sectors profiteering from this crisis and the war in Iran, for example big agribusiness, the defence industry and associated AI and tech firms.
Invest revenue from excess profits into direct support to households and businesses to help weather the shock of the affordability crisis, alongside accelerating bringing online mass-scale low and zero carbon solutions to build a resilient energy system in the UK.
The billions in revenue from the additional proposed taxes on windfalls from this crisis must be reinvested into providing direct cost of living support and making our economy more resilient to withstand shocks in the future.
We can break free of the war-energy crisis doom loop, invest in renewables and low-carbon solutions, support people to deal with the cost of living crisis and put Britain on a path to better living standards for everyone in this country.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this letter along with Sian Berry MP, Carla Denyer MP, Hannah Spencer MP and Dr Ellie Chowns MP. Tax Justice UK, Faiza Shaheen, Executive Director
Greenpeace UK, Areeba Hamid, Co-Executive Director
Global Witness, Mike Davis, CEO
Women’s Budget Group, Dr Daniella Jenkins, Executive Director
National Education Union, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary38Degrees, Matthew McGregor, CEO
PCS Union, Fran Heathcote, General Secretary
Positive Money, Sara Hall, Co-Executive Director
End Fuel Poverty Coalition, Simon Francis, Coordinator
Global Justice Now, Nick Dearden, Executive Director
Autonomy Institute, Will Stronge, Chief Executive
Patriotic Millionaires UK, Rebecca Gowland, Executive Director
Green New Deal Rising
350.org, Anne Jellema, Executive Director
Zero Hour, Amy McDonnell and James Sutton, Co-Executive Directors
Care Full, Ruth Hannan & Hannah Webster, Co-Directors
Stamp Out Poverty, David Hillman, Director
War on Want, Liz McKean, Executive Director
Fairness Foundation, Will Snell, Chief Executive
Compass, Lena Swedlow, Deputy Director
Equality Trust, Priya Sahni-Nicholas and Jo Wittams; Co-Executive Directors
Taxpayers Against Poverty, Tom Burgess, CEO
Debt Justice, Heidi Chow, Executive Director
Fuel Poverty Action, Stuart Bretherton, Campaigns Lead
Mainstream
Women’s Environmental Network, Kate Metcalf, Co-Director
Voices Adfocad, Mike O'Brien, Founder
Tipping Point UK, Louise Hazan, Co-Director
Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland, Lisa Hough- Stewart, Interim Director
WEAll Global, Stewart Wallis, Executive Co Chair
Culture Unstained, Chris Garrard, Co-Director
Possible, Hirra Khan Adeogun & Juliet Michaelson, Co-directors
Cost of Living Action, Conor O'Shea, Campaign Coordinator Financial Transparency Coalition, Matti Kohonen, Executive Director
Conflict and Environment Observatory, Doug Weir, Director
JustMoney Movement, Sarah Edwards, Executive Director
Tipping Point North South, Deborah Burton. Co-founder
New Economics Foundation, Danny Sriskandarajah, Chief Executive
CLES (Centre for Local Economies), Dr Sarah Longlands
Oil Change International, Elizabeth Bast, Executive Director
Re: Government time to debate national security assessment on biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security
-
The Rt. Hon. Emma Reynolds MP
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
23 March 2026
Re: Government time to debate national security assessment on biodiversity loss, ecosystem
collapse and national security
Dear Secretary of State,
Further to my letter of 3 February 2026, I write again about the Government’s national security
assessment’s stark warning that global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse pose a serious threat to
the United Kingdom’s security and prosperity.
Today, the United Nations warned that the planet is being ‘pushed beyond its limits’ as energy imbalance
reach record high and its Secretary-General António Guterres called on countries to "deliver climate
security, energy security and national security"
.
In this context, I would be grateful for an indication on when you will set a time to debate the Joint
Intelligence Committee’s report as indicated by the Leader of the House following my Business Question
[AC/IDC1226].
With thanks,
Adrian Ramsay
Letter to the Prime Minister to express our alarm at the UK’s involvement in the illegal US-Israeli war on Iran.
-
The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA
20 March 2026
Dear Prime Minister,
We are writing as Green Party MPs and Peers to express our alarm at the UK’s involvement in the illegal US-Israeli war on Iran.
Already well over 1,000 civilians have been killed, including a reported 168 children killed by a missile now widely believed to be from the United States (Guardian, 2026). UNICEF has reported that the Israeli military's assault on
Lebanon is killing or injuring the equivalent of one classroom of children every day (Reuters, 2026).
In addition to the grave humanitarian impacts, the longer this illegal, unnecessary war continues, the greater the global economic fallout – to which the UK is particularly exposed because it remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
In light of this, there are urgent questions your government must answer:
What steps, if any, is your government taking to ensure that B-1 and B-52 bombers taking off from RAF Fairford are being used for ‘specific, limited defensive purposes’– as you committed to?
What assessment have you made, if any, of how many Iranian civilians have been killed by US bombing missions from British air bases?
Are target lists for US strikes from British soil approved by the Ministry of Defence before each mission or audited afterwards?
Is the US being permitted to load banned cluster munitions at British bases?
What assessment has the government made of the risk of UK-made weapons components being used in violation of international law in Iran, including in the Tomahawk missile systems which may have been involved in the strike on the Shajareh Tayyerbeh girls’s school which killed a reported 168 children and 14 teachers, in the single deadliest known attack so far?
What assessment has the government made of the risk of UK-made weapons components being used by the Israeli government in violation of international law in Lebanon?
The UK is obliged under international law to have no involvement in illegal military action, including the use of UK bases and UK-made weapons. It is therefore of the utmost importance that these questions are answered as a matter of urgency.
This illegal war is inflicting untold suffering and devastation in the region and will cause huge and long lasting human, political, economic and environmental ramifications, as well as the immediate impact on the cost-of-living for our constituents. We, as Green Party MPs and Peers, reiterate our calls for the UK government to:
Withdraw all permission for the US to use UK military bases for attacks on Iran.
End all arms sales to and military cooperation with the Israeli government.
Impose sanctions on government officials responsible for breaches of international law.
Condemn the actions of Trump and Netanyahu for their flagrant violations of international law.
Refuse any further complicity in this illegal war.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Ellie Chowns MP
Carla Denyer MP
Siân Berry MP
Hannah Spencer MP
Adrian Ramsay MP
Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
Prevalence of Criminal Activity Across the Greyhound Racing Industry
-
The Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP
Secretary of State
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
16 March 2026
RE: Prevalence of Criminal Activity Across the Greyhound Racing Industry
Dear Secretary of State,
I am writing further to the correspondence you have recently received from Animal Aid regarding criminal activity and animal protection concerns within the greyhound racing industry. I wish to raise serious concerns about evidence of potential criminality and regulatory failure in the sector, and to urge you to consider the case for a phased ban on the sport. Doing so would both support your Department’s priorities around animal protection as set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy, as well as wider Government priorities.
New analysis compiled by Animal Aid demonstrates that the greyhound racing industry continues to fall short of its duty of care to the dogs it breeds, trains and races, and that its system of self‑regulation by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) is shielding it from proper legal oversight. Since January 2025, the GBGB has published 128 breaches of its own rules, which Animal Aid assesses amount to 237 possible criminal offences. This includes cases involving dangerous neglect and failures to protect dogs from injury and death, potentially in breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Despite these widespread failings, none of these incidents were referred to the police. Instead, suspected criminal activity continues to be addressed internally by the greyhound racing industry. The GBGB has imposed modest fines and reprimands, without external referral or escalation to statutory authorities. This raises significant concerns about the transparency and accountability of an industry in which animals are experiencing widespread harm.
Considering these concerns, I urge you to consider the case for a phased ban on the sport, which is necessary to safeguard animal protection. Such an approach would align with the Government’s commitment to high animal welfare standards and its ambition to deliver world-leading protections, reflecting the values of the UK as a nation of animal lovers.
I would welcome a meeting with you to discuss this issue further and to understand how the Department intends to respond to these concerns.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ramsay
Member of Parliament for Waveney Valley
Drax internal emails and FCA investigation: cross-party request to review subsidy
-
The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP
Secretary of State Department of Energy Security and Net Zero
18th February 2026
Drax internal emails and FCA investigation: cross-party request to review subsidy
Dear Secretary of State,
We are writing to bring your attention to a tranche of newly released internal correspondence from energy company Drax. This evidence suggests that Drax may have knowingly made misleading claims to the government, parliamentarians, Ofgem, and investors in its response to BBC Panorama’s investigation into Drax’s subsidised sourcing of wood from Canadian forests in 2022.
We are deeply concerned that a company should be in receipt of substantial billpayer subsidy, currently guaranteed until 2031, While it may have knowingly and consistently concealed information of material relevance to its legitimacy as a subsidy recipient.
According to media reports cited below, after the documentary aired, one senior manager wrote “we’ve been saying we don’t source from these forests when it appears we might be.”
This was despite public statements from the CEO stating that the BBC allegations were “false,” “ill-informed” and “promoted by vested interests.” The emails further Suggest Drax was told by lawyers “the legal view contradicts what you’ve put in the public domain.”
Given that the Financial Conduct Authority are currently investigating such “historical statements” made by Drax about their sourcing of pellets, we request that all future UK government contracts with Drax be suspended for the duration of this investigation. We ask you to clarify whether your Department considers Drax to be currently meeting the standards of transparency and compliance expected of a recipient of public subsidy.
We also highlight the quote from Lord Alan Whitehead, Energy Minister on 10th December 2025 “If Drax is non-compliant, the subsidy goes. There is no subsidy in the case of a non-
compliant organisation of any kind. If that happens, it will be the end of Drax”. We therefore
ask what steps you will take to reassess Drax’s eligibility for ongoing and future support
should the FCA investigation substantiate concerns that material information was withheld or
misrepresented.
Recent revelations are covered in the following media reports:
• Rachel Millard, Financial Times, Drax manager questioned public statements on
wood sourcing, tribunal documents show, 30th January 2026
• Jillian Ambrose, The Guardian, Drax insiders privately raised concerns over its
sustainability claims, court papers show, 4th February 2026
• Old Sparky, Private Eye, “Drax: Internal Affairs” Issue 1668, 6-19 Feb 2026
We hope that you share our concern and confirm that you will take decisive action to ensure
that no further subsidy will be awarded if such practice is uncovered.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ramsay MP
Alex Sobel MP*
Baroness Boycott
Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb
Baroness Young of Old Scone
Barry Gardiner MP
Carla Denyer MP
Chris Hinchliff MP
Ellie Chowns MP
Pippa Heylings MP
Lord Randall of Uxbridge
Sian Berry MP
The Earl of Caithness
Wera Hobhouse MP
Urgent need for Government commitment to progress Ely and Haughley junction improvements
-
Urgent need for Government commitment to progress Ely and Haughley junction
improvements
Dear Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, and Chief Secretary to the
Treasury, the Rt Hon Darren Jones MP
The Government’s Plan for Change has made delivering economic growth across the UK its central mission. To achieve this, growth must be unlocked across every UK region. We are therefore writing to you to restate the six chief facts that make clear how upgrading Ely and Haughley rail junctions would directly contribute to the Government’s ambition to grow the whole of the UK.
These schemes have been in the pipeline for decades with the case for them strengthening year on year. They are now restricting growth and the country’s progress to cleaner, greener transport connections. We are now calling on Government to commit in this Spending Review to provide Network Rail with the funds to develop the Full Business Case for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancements, so it can be delivered as soon as possible with appropriate phasing, and to provide the relatively low level of funding needed to deliver the Haughley Junction upgrade.
The case for this investment is clear. It would:
1. Enable businesses from Land’s End to John O’Groats: Rail freight from the Port of Felixstowe primarily serves freight terminals in the Midlands, North and Scotland, with the greatest density of goods destinations being cities in the North of England. Unlocking this bottle-neck would increase international trade flows by enabling 2,900 extra freight services to and from the Port of Felixstowe every year, also releasing capacity on rail routes serving the growing Thames ports.
2. Unlock sustainable homes growth: It is anticipated that across the corridors which would see increased passenger services there will need to be 310,00 new homes built by 2404. People in these new communities will be the talent for the high-skilled, high-growth sectors in Cambridge, Peterborough, Norwich and Ipswich.
3. Relieve pressure on our stretched road network: By increasing capacity and reducing bottlenecks, taking 98,000 HGVs off the road and stimulating 277,000 extra rail passenger journeys per year, it will reduce congestion by 5.6 million hours per year. Ely is also referenced in the strategies of Transport for London, Transport for the North and Midlands Connect reflecting the knock-on benefits to capacity in the wider rail and road network.
. Payback the investment 5-fold: The scheme has a remarkably high benefit-cost ratio, returning £4.89 of benefits for every £1 invested. An additional £60m of wider economic benefits has already been identified within the Outline Business Case. However, this does not reflect fully the growth opportunities now centred on Cambridge and Peterborough, or the Freeports.
Align with, and unlock, private sector investment: Hundreds of millions of pounds have already been invested by the private sector in this trade corridor, including in new port capacity, vessels, rail rolling stock and logistics facilities. Only recently £130m has been invested from private sector levies to deepen the channel at the Port of Felixstowe. Public funding for Ely helps match and capture the full value of these prior investments, whilst also unlocking more in the future including upgraded rail freight terminal facilities and new bi-mode locomotives. But it needs clear signals from Government that rail freight capacity will be released.
Deliver greener transport: By supporting modal shift to rail, Ely will remove the need for 98,000 HGV journeys every year, and attract substantially more rail users as evidence of increased passenger frequencies across the East has already demonstrated. It would also reduce carbon emissions by 1.7m tonnes of CO2 over 60 years.
Delaying these projects further will delay national growth and productivity enhancements. We trust
you will view these schemes positively as you determine the Spending Review.
Yours sincerely
Jess Asato MP Co-chair, East of England APPG
Andrew Pakes MP Co-chair, East of England APPG
Marie Goldman MP Vice Chair,East of England APPG
Blake Stephenson MP Vice Chair,East of England APPG
Jack Abbott MP East of England Missions Champion
Alice Macdonald MP East of England Missions Champion
Bayo Alaba MP East of England Business Champion
David Burton-Sampson MP East of England Business Champion
Adrian Ramsay MP co-signed this cross-party letter initiated by the East of England All-Party Parliamentary Group.