32 Parliamentarians back call for Prime Minister to act on UK timber security

A coalition of 32 MPs and Members of the House of Lords has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging the UK Government to take urgent action to strengthen Britain's timber security, as a national campaign calling for greater investment in domestic forestry and wood processing continues to gather political and public support.

The letter, signed by Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, backs the Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor) campaign, Timber Security is National Security, and calls on Ministers to recognise timber as a strategically important national resource.

The UK currently imports more than 80% of the timber it uses, and is the world's second largest net importer after China. Parliamentarians warn that this dependence leaves Britain increasingly exposed to international supply disruption, geopolitical instability and rising global demand.

The intervention follows months of campaigning by Confor, which has secured engagement with more than 75 MPs, attracted hundreds of signatures to its public petition and mobilised supporters across the country to contact their parliamentary representatives.

The campaign has also brought together political representatives, forestry businesses and industry organisations to highlight the importance of domestic timber production to housebuilding, manufacturing, rural employment, net zero and the UK's wider economic security.

The Parliamentarians argue that strengthening domestic timber production would help deliver the Government's ambitions for housing, economic growth, industrial investment and the transition to a lower carbon economy.

Their letter states:

"Timber security is not solely a forestry issue. It is a housing issue. It is an industrial strategy issue. It is a resilience issue. And increasingly, it is a national security issue."

It concludes by challenging the Government to decide whether Britain should continue accepting its growing dependence on imported timber or take action to strengthen its resilience for the decades ahead.

Ben Lake MP, Chair of the APPG on Forestry and Timber Security, said: "Timber is essential to our economy, from building the homes we need to supporting manufacturing, infrastructure and thousands of jobs in communities across the UK.

"Yet we remain overwhelmingly dependent on imports for a resource that is fundamental to our future prosperity and national resilience.

"This is an issue that deserves far greater attention across Government. We need cross-departmental action and a clear, coordinated strategy that recognises the importance of domestic forestry, supports investment in productive woodland and ensures that the UK can meet more of its future timber needs.

"The breadth of parliamentary support for this letter demonstrates that timber security is an issue which crosses party boundaries and deserves a serious response from Ministers."

Lillian Jones MP, Chair of the APPG on the Wood Panel Industry, said: "The UK's wood processing industry is an important part of our manufacturing base, supporting skilled jobs, local economies and the supply chains that underpin construction and housebuilding.

"Strengthening our domestic timber supply is not simply about planting more trees. It is about supporting the industries that turn that resource into the products our economy depends upon.

"With the Government rightly focused on industrial growth, housing and economic security, there is a real opportunity to recognise wood processing as a strategic manufacturing sector and give businesses the confidence to invest in jobs, skills and future capacity.

"We cannot have a serious industrial strategy without considering the security of the vital raw materials like timber on which our industries and economy depend."

Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confor, said: "The message from Parliamentarians and the growing number of people supporting this campaign is clear: timber security must become a national priority.

"We import more than 80% of the timber we use, yet we have the land, expertise, businesses, potential investment and workforce capable of producing much more of this essential resource here in the UK.

"At a time when the Government is rightly concerned about national security, economic resilience and delivering new homes, it makes little sense to leave timber supply out of the conversation.

"This campaign has demonstrated that the issue resonates well beyond the forestry industry. We have seen support from MPs across political parties, engagement from businesses and communities, and hundreds of people taking action to make their voices heard.

"Now we need the Government to respond. The measures set out in this letter are practical, achievable steps that would strengthen our economic security, support British manufacturing and create jobs while delivering environmental benefits.

"Timber security is national security. It is time for Government policy to reflect that reality."