‘Great news, but we’re not out of the woods yet’ says MP as forest sell-off suspended

Reacting to the news today that Defra have suspended the sell-off of thousands of acres of the Forestry Commission estate, South Lakes MP Tim Farron said:

"This is great news, and a real testament to the thousands of people nationally, including hundreds here in the South Lakes, who have made their voices heard.

"The Government will now go away and look again at their plans to ensure greater safeguards. That is to be welcomed, but means we are not out of the woods yet.

"The extra safeguards will mean that these proposals will have gone from dangerous to pointless - they will now not save the Government any money, and we should therefore keep pressing so we get these plans cancelled.

"It is also fantastic to see a Government which listens. For years under Labour I, and many others in the South Lakes, kept seeing consultation after consultation where we simply weren't listened to. It's refreshing to see a consultation where the Government has listened, heard our message, and acted."