Protection and restoration of ancient woodland

That this House recognises the rich biodiversity of ancient woodlands across the United Kingdom, and their vital role in meeting the nation’s climate and biodiversity obligations as set out in the Environment Act 2021; notes that ancient woodland, those that have existed since at least 1600, covers just 2.5% of the UK, and is concerned that around 40% of ancient woodland has been replanted with non-native species, which significantly compromises its ecological integrity and its contribution to climate resilience; further notes that Forestry England, as the largest manager of plantations on ancient woodland sites, currently receives no ongoing funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for restoration work and would need to more than double its present rate of restoration to meet its internal commitment to restore all such sites by 2044, thus contributing to UK nature restoration targets; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure that a sufficient proportion of the available resource is directed at the restoration of ancient woodland sites within the Public Forest Estate to accelerate progress towards the 2044 target.