Alistair Strathern, Labour MP for Hitchin, was elected yesterday (Tuesday, July 30) as chair of a cross-party parliamentary group on the environment and climate change.

The Environment All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), backed by environment charity Green Alliance, brings together MPs and peers of all parties to take action on climate and energy, waste and resources, and the natural environment.

In his new role, Mr Strathern is expected to take a lead on coordinating activity on the environment across Parliament.

During the election campaign, he pledged to protect green spaces and take "bold action" against the climate crisis.

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Mr Strathern previously led the Bank of England's climate change work with the insurance sector.

Mr Strathern said he was "really grateful and excited" to be elected as leader of the APPG: “I know how important environmental issues are to residents across the Hitchin constituency, from biodiversity loss, to the terrifying decline of our natural environment, to the rising sewage levels sullying our local rivers.

“At this crucial moment it is so important that we have a strong voice for environmentalists across Parliament.

“As chair, I will champion cross party working to ensure we all can all come together, to tackle the nature crisis we are facing and lean in behind this government’s leadership on the green transition. This will help us deliver across Hitchin, and beyond.”