Meeting of the Parliament 25 March 2026 [Draft]
I thank Mercedes Villalba for her interest in the topic. As has been highlighted in the review report, delivering on some of its recommendations would need primary legislation. Ultimately, that will be for the next Government to decide on and take forward. However, where we can take action and make progress, we want to do that quickly, which is why I have highlighted the work that we are undertaking with stakeholders. We want to make sure that the process is accessible. Ultimately, it has to be fair to the landowner and the communities that are trying to access it, so we have to strike that balance while making those improvements where we can.
I take this opportunity to wish Mercedes Villalba all the very best. I have enjoyed our work together. I say that to Rhoda Grant, too, as I missed her out in the debate earlier. Thank you for your engagement on the critical pieces of legislation on which we have worked, and I wish you all the very best for the future.