The hereafter of urban and rural light-green space took center stage on May 6 , 2025 , as the Garden Museum in London host a live - program panel event centre on the nominate Green Spaces Bill . The Green Spaces Question Time give-and-take , chaired by broadcaster Evan Davis , boast Caroline Voaden MP , the Bill ’s suggester , alongside a imposing panel include Reverend Giles Goddard , Arthur Kay , and gardener John Little .
The event , take care by a spectacular audience of expert and industry drawing card advocating for light-green distance , serve as a chopine to hash out the cardinal themes of the Bill . It aimed to identify practical whole tone to raise and boom Britain ’s green base and direct the obstacles to growing urban green spaces .
Focusing on kick upstairs the economic value of light-green infinite , particularly their role in improving environmental and social wellness and well - being , the Green Spaces Bill seek to advance the importance of green place by addressing the policy gaps that currently embarrass their ontogeny and protective cover . A central proposition within the Bill , which echoes the Horticultural Trades Association ’s ( HTA ) manifesto , is the origination of an Office for Green Spaces . This consecrated office would aim to render geomorphologic change within government , ensuring a coordinated , thwartwise - departmental approach to maximize the immense environmental , societal , and economic benefits derived from immature spaces , garden , and horticultural businesses across the area .
Green spaces lend billions to the UK economy , with environmental gardening alone generating £ 8.4 billion in revenue enhancement revenues and support over 720,000 jobs . Yet , these indispensable space and the industries that sustain them often come down between insurance gaps . A coordinated , cross - government access is needed to ensure their benefits are in full realized .
Fran Barnes , Chief Executive of the HTA , commented : " We were delighted to underpin the Garden Museum ’s public debate on Green Spaces and to elevate the Bill , which recognizes the need for policymakers to wreak in a unexampled fashion to maximize the chance of environmental gardening and greenish spaces in tackling climate variety , amend public health , and aim economic growth . The UK ’s gardens , park , and green corridor are not just squeamish - to - have amenities but all-important base .
" The HTA has long call up for an Office for Green Spaces , which , if established , would oversee and defend these spaces , secure their future , and unlock their full potential for community and business alike . We at the Horticultural Trades Association await forwards to turn our cause and working to deliver change to support UK environmental horticulture to flourish . "
Speaking at the event , Caroline Voaden MP ( Liberal Democrat , South Devon ) commented : " As the MP for South Devon , I am acutely aware of how vital green space are to my constituents and communities nationwide . I initiated this Bill to stimulate disputation on how to well coordinate dissimilar parts of the Government to defend green place , particularly in urban orbit . We know these blank space are critical for mental health , physical well - being , environmental resiliency , and creating green Book of Job . Tonight ’s discussion has significantly set ahead this conversation , and I hope this is an on-going conversation that results in action by policymakers to do more to deliver unripened spaces . "
Christopher Woodward , Director of the Garden Museum , added : " The Garden Museum was very felicitous to host an effect which showed how horticulture reach everyone , and to see how a new multiplication of gardeners really does think that gardening can change the world . "
The event highlight the growing momentum behind recognizing and enhance the note value of unripe spaces and the urgent need for dedicated politics focal point to ensure their future sustainability and expansion .
For more entropy : Horticultural Trades Association[email protected]www.hta.org.uk
