Swifts: Conservation
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is considering amending the Wildlife and Countryside Act to ensure that cavity nesting swift nesting sites are protected year round.
Answered by Mary Creagh
This Government has no plans to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to provide year-round protection for nesting sites used by swifts. The current National Planning Policy Framework, published in December 2024, introduces measures to enhance and protect the environment including setting out that planning policies should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by incorporating features which support priority or threatened species.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework which strengthens protections. This Government will respond to this consultation in due course.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →