To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to improve the tax incentives to charities engaged in tree planting and reforestation with traditional species of tree. (321543)

The Government provide a generous range of tax reliefs for charities and donors, worth over £3 billion a year, which provides support to charities whatever their cause. The Chancellor keeps taxes and tax reliefs under ongoing review.

Charities are also eligible to apply for grants from the Forestry Commission under the Rural Development Programme for England that contribute to the costs of planting native woodlands.

The Government’s 2009 Low Carbon Transition Plan set out its intention to support a new drive to encourage private funding for woodland creation and work is under way to explore the best way of meeting this commitment.