Alistair Strathern MP celebrates new National Forest for Bedfordshire

PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP

THURSDAY 6^th NOVEMBER 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alistair Strathern, Labour MP for Hitchin, has welcomed the creation of a new national forest in Bedfordshire, which will bring lasting environmental and economic benefits to communities across the county.

The new forest will see millions of trees planted in the years ahead, as part of Labour’s commitment to allocate over £1 billion this Parliament to tree planting and support for the forestry sector.

This announcement delivers on Labour’s manifesto pledge to create three new national forests. The Western Forest, announced in March, was the first new national forest in 30 years. Planting has already begun there. A competition will launch in early 2026 to determine the location of a third forest.

Meeting tree planting targets across Great Britain could result in over 14,000 jobs being created and supported. The new forest will help deliver renewal for communities, drive economic growth, and enhance nature.

Mr Strathern is a regular advocate of investment in nature. He recently convened investors and environmentalists in Parliament to discuss the need to invest in natural renewal, and successfully campaigned for the Government to mandate solar panels on new homes.  

Alistair Strathern MP said:

“This announcement marks a huge step forward for our local environment and our shared future.  Expanding access to nature means cleaner air, stronger biodiversity, and new green jobs for our communities.

“The Oxford-Cambridge area is set to become an economic powerhouse – home to a planned AI Growth Zone, Universal Studios theme park, and new rail links that could add £78 billion to the UK economy.

“A new forest here shows the importance of investing in our natural assets too.

"After years of decline, I'm committed to ensuring we do much better at protecting and enhancing some of the fantastic nature on our doorstep, and this announcement is an important step in the right direction.”

Environment Secretary, Emma Reynolds, said:

“Our woodlands are vital for regulating our climate, supporting wildlife and increasing access to nature for us all.

“We are delivering on our manifesto commitment with three new National Forests, including one between Oxford and Cambridge.

“Our ambitious tree planting programme will help unlock growth, restore nature and create green jobs for the future – all part of the Plan for Change.”

Notes for Editors

You can see more information here in this Government press release.