What does the new Cabinet mean for landscape?

Following the Queen’s state funeral on Monday 19 September, Liz Truss’s new Conservative government has swung into action on its priorities of ‘cutting taxes, dealing with the energy crisis, and delivering for the NHS’.

There are new faces at most central departments. Some of the ministerial changes are likely to precede a shift in national policy, as will commitments Truss made directly during her campaign. These have indicated a shift backwards in some areas, including a return to fracking for shale gas, a possible retreat from onshore wind and solar, and removal of ‘green’ subsidies. These just a few of the early-day question marks.

Editor’s note: At the time of writing, more junior ministerial posts – such as the parliamentary under-secretary of state for climate change and corporate responsibility – have yet to be appointed.

Defra

New to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are Secretary of State Ranil Jayawardena MP, along with Mark Spencer and Trudy Harrison. Lord Benyon continues his role as minister for rural affairs, suggesting that the biosecurity and access to nature agendas are unlikely to change.

With the Environment Act, the Agriculture Act, and other major legislation already passed, the priority for Defra will be turning the commitments of recent years into action, and expanding on policies such as biodiversity net gain and new environmental land management schemes (ELMS).

While the broad direction of travel is unlikely to change, it will be important for the department to continue to drive forward areas such as urban green infrastructure, sustainable drainage, and environmental impact assessment (EIA) reform, as well as supporting bodies such as Natural England and the Environment Agency to function well.

Thus far, Ranil Jayawardena’s communications regarding his new role have focussed solely on food production and rural matters.

Lord Goldsmith has left his biodiversity role at Defra but continues his international role at the Foreign Office. Steve Double MP (previously Defra Minister) resigned on 8 September.

DLUHC

At the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Simon Clarke has returned as Secretary of State, having served as Minister during 2020-21.

The Rt Hon Dehenna Davison MP, Andrew Stephenson MP, Lee Rowley MP and Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE are joining DLUHC as parliamentary under-secretaries. Their precise responsibilities have yet to be confirmed – for instance, which will fulfil the long-vacant ‘minister for parks’ role previously held by Rishi Sunak.

Paul Scully continues his role as minister of state, with responsibility for most local authority matters as well as London.

Marcus Jones MP (previously minister for housing) and Eddie Hughes MP (previously minister for rough sleeping and housing) resigned on 8 September.

At the time of writing, it is not clear which member of Clarke’s team will take on responsibility for high streets and the levelling up funds themselves (including £39m for Parks).

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s emergency ‘mini’ budget, announced on Friday 23 September, signals a major change in fiscal direction for the Conservative party and puts the future of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill in doubt.

At the time of writing, the Bill is still in Parliament, though the government has extended the timetable for its delivery. What this means for planning reform is uncertain.

In theory, new Secretary of State Simon Clarke’s experience as a former department minister will be invaluable in getting the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill over the line, delivering on commitments to drive local growth, empower local leaders to regenerate their areas, and – crucially – deliver promised planning reforms. This all depends, of course, on whether DLUHC pivots on its previous commitments.

A recent LI policy briefing paper on the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill examines its implications for the landscape sector.

BEIS

The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is the department formally responsible for climate change, and therefore of interest to the landscape profession for the broad macroeconomic emphasis that is given to sustainability.

The appointment of Jacob Rees-Mogg as secretary of state was criticised by some commentators due to his having previously downplayed the importance of the climate crisis.

That said, the appointment of Graham Stuart as minister for climate may bode well, as Stuart has advocated for climate action in the past. ‘Minister for climate’ is a new title for this post, and hopefully an upgrade on the previous ‘minister for energy’ role.

For landscape practice, however, policy emerging from Defra and DLUHC is likely to have greater impact on our climate concerns.

BEIS also has responsibility for business-related policy itself, including tax and regulatory reforms, and the framework of professional regulation (e.g. for architects). There is no indication of forthcoming change that will specifically affect private landscape practices in this regard.

DCMS

The Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) is of interest to landscape policy insofar as it holds responsibility for natural heritage, and other specifically cultural aspects of landscape – such as listed parks and the management of bodies such as Historic England. The new heritage Minister is Nigel Huddleston, working with Michelle Donelan as secretary of state.