Elected in 2024, the Labour MP for Wycombe Emma Reynolds is the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. She has been a minister in HM Treasury since January 2025, serving as Economic Secretary to the Treasury. Previously, Reynolds served as MP for Wolverhampton North East from 2010 until she lost her seat in 2019.
Commenting on the new appointment, Fran Barnes, the Horticultural Trades Association Chief Executive, said:
“I would like to congratulate and welcome Emma Reynolds on her appointment as the new Environment Secretary. We look forward to having the opportunity to ensure HTA members and the importance of environmental horticulture continue to be heard and valued at the heart of government. Together, we share the ambitions of the UK increasing green growth, achieving net zero and boosting our urban areas. It is a challenging time, with many businesses hit hard by employment taxes, regulatory costs, weather, and ongoing uncertainty. I look forward to inviting Emma Reynolds and her team to visit our members to see how environmental horticulture businesses are delivering for the UK. There is huge potential for green growth and a green infrastructure to deliver even more for the environment, our health and wellbeing and the economy.
“I would also like to thank Steve Reed for his time as Secretary of State for the Environment and look forward to working with him in his new role as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that green spaces are at the heart of our communities.”
