Andrew Pakes MP has been elected as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Environment by fellow parliamentarians following a meeting on Tuesday 10th December.

Andrew, the Labour & Co-operative MP for Peterborough, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. As deputy general secretary of the Prospect Union he worked across environmental, engineering and technological industries before entering Parliament. Elected at the 2024 general election, Andrew now sits on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee.

He joins the existing cross-party committee of Vice Chairs: Rebecca Smith, Conservative MP for South West Devon; Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath; and Adrian Ramsay, Green MP for Waveney Valley.

Former Chair, Alistair Strathern MP, had to stand down as Chair of the group due to his position as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Chancellor. 

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Environment is the oldest and largest cross-party group working on environmental issues, with over 135 parliamentary supporters. The group works with businesses, charities and trade organisations whose expertise supports MPs and peers to raise environmental ambition in Parliament.

Minutes of this meeting can be found attached below