Climate change and environmental decline are no longer distant challenges. Communities across our area already understand the impact that flooding, extreme weather, and environmental degradation can have on homes, businesses, farmland, and local infrastructure. The Government's own national security assessment warns that biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and climate change pose serious risks to the UK's security, prosperity, and long-term food supply. Yet despite these growing threats, the country remains insufficiently prepared.

I have raised this repeatedly in Parliament, calling for climate resilience to be treated as a national priority. This includes establishing a sixth Government mission on resilience, placing climate resilience on a statutory footing, and ensuring preparedness is fully integrated across all sectors of government. I am also pressing for a full parliamentary debate on the Joint Intelligence Assessment so that Parliament can properly scrutinise both the risks we face and the action being taken to address them.

Alongside preparedness, I continue to advocate for practical, nature-based solutions that help protect communities while restoring the natural environment. From flood management to habitat restoration, these approaches can strengthen resilience and deliver long-term benefits for people and nature alike. Building resilience is not simply about responding to future crises. It is about protecting livelihoods, safeguarding communities, and ensuring future generations inherit a healthier and more secure environment.

I will continue working with local communities, environmental organisations, and government to ensure that climate resilience and nature recovery remain at the forefront of national decision-making.