Liberal Democrat pledge of 60 million UK trees every year gets Rushcliffe spades at-the-ready

Rushcliffe Liberal Democrat candidate Jason Billin was joined by supporters on Sunday to plant a young hazel tree in Keyworth. This is the first of a series of tree planting opportunities planned by the local Lib Dems in response to Leader Jo Swinson's announcement last week. https://www.libdems.org.uk/60milliontrees

A Liberal Democrat government will plant 6o million trees every year, increasing the UK forest cover by 1 million hectares by 2045. Just 13% of the UK is covered by woodland, far below the European Union average of 35%.

Jason Billin, who is part of the Green Liberal Democrat movement says: "Tree planting is one of the most viable ways of removing carbon from the atmosphere. It also helps the local biodiversity and has been proven to improve our general health and wellbeing.

"I'd like to encourage all Rushcliffe gardeners and allotments holders to consider planting one extra tree next year if you have the space. If you take advice about the choice of species, its maximum growth and planting conditions you'll find the best solution for your plot."

Jason Billin is an active resident of Rushcliffe having lived in East Leake for 25 years. He is married with two grown-up children and runs his own design and publishing business.

Passionate about the development and wellbeing of children and teenagers, Jason has served as a local school governor and is a former Rushcliffe Scout Commissioner. The motivation to campaign within the Green Lib Dem movement comes from a desire to leave his two grown-up children, and their generation, with a safe and sustainable environment.

Jason's policy interests include campaigning for better care for the elderly and their independent living; advocating for the adoption of modular eco-build housing schemes; better public transport access from rural areas to NHS care; and a Universal Basic Income as part of a 'circular' economy that provides flexible work opportunities to suit both the employer and family life.

He was selected as Rushcliffe Liberal Democrat candidate in June 2018 having served as local Membership Secretary and as a representative for the Party in the 2017 Nottinghamshire County Council elections.