Matt Vickers MP will lead a petitions committee debate on Monday 10 July, as a result of a petition to enforce all new builds to include swift bricks receiving the required 100,000 signatures.
The petition, no.626737, is supported by the RSPB and was created by Oxfordshire campaigner Hannah Bourne-Taylor.
The number of swifts has fallen by 57% over the last 22 years and in 2021 they were introduced to the IUCN’s ‘Red List’, an international list of threatened bird species.
Their decline has been blamed on loss of nesting habitat, cooler summers, and insect decline.
It is thought the swift bricks would help to protect the numbers of four species of Red Listed birds from falling further, by providing the ‘site-faithful’ species with a lifelong home.
Other species on the Red List, house martins, house sparrows and starlings, would also benefit from the bricks.
Should the petition be successful in the debate, it could lead to Government guidance being updated.
Speaking before the debate he said:
“I’m delighted to have this opportunity to stand up for these incredible birds by leading this debate in parliament.
“I like to use my platform to promote the protection of animals whenever I’m given the opportunity, and it’s a cause we care strongly about in my patch.
“The petition has received 109,894 signatures, highlighting how protecting Red Listed birds has turned into a matter of public concern.
“There is a real urgency behind this debate, as the population size of Red Listed birds continues to fall, and we run the risk of losing some real treasured and iconic species from our skies..
“Swifts have been a symbol of British summertime for generations. I believe we have a responsibility to protect these global species for the few summer months they chose to stay in our country.
“If the petition proves successful, putting swift bricks in all new builds would provide a life saving home for many bird species who live harmoniously in our towns and cities.
“DEFRA has committed to targets to improve the Red List, and I am hopeful that the discussion will lead to an update to Government guidance, which will be proactive and advanced to align with these targets.”
