Maria Eagle, Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary, responding to the publication of the third report of the Natural Capital Committee, said:

“David Cameron pledged to lead the ‘greenest Government ever’ but the reality is that we have had almost five years of non-stop degradation and decline of the natural environment under this Tory-led Government.

“This report makes it clear that improving the natural environment provides valuable goods and services to people such as clean air, clean water and recreation in both urban and rural populations, and can save our NHS billons.

“The next Labour Government will bring nature closer to people by making public access to green spaces a priority and take real steps to give communities power to protect and improve the natural environment.”