Member

The noble Earl, Lord Caithness, also asked about wildfire and a joined-up approach. As I previously mentioned, the MHCLG is the lead government department for wildfire. With support from Defra, we are carrying out a number of workshops aimed at scoping out a wildfire strategy and action plan. The MHCLG is considering next steps and will continue to work closely with Defra in the next phase of its proposals. Defra, however, is the key stakeholder in the wildfire framework for England. The department’s responsibilities are laid out in that framework, the aim of which is to mitigate the impact of wildfire across England, including on moorlands. I hope that goes some way to assure the noble Earl that the Government are taking a joined-up approach to the serious and important issue of wildfire.