You may have seen the news that Angela Rayner has approved the sale of eight allotment sites in the last year. This is a terrible decision.

Public-owned allotments are an institution. They reflect our deep connection with the land. They give people the means and motivation to grow their own fruit and veg, enjoy the open air, be self-sufficient, and contribute to the local economy. They reduce food insecurity and help with the cost of living. They’re good for our physical and mental well-being.

No wonder they’re popular!

There are more than 150,000 allotment applications with local authorities, and waits of up to 15 years are common.

The government should provide MORE allotments not take them away from us.

Angela Rayner’s department is justifying the decisions by saying the rules around sale of assets are tight, and have been in place since 2016. So this is nothing new.

But that doesn’t make it right. And it’s made a lot of people angry.

If you care about the environment, add your voice to theirs. Show this government they must reconsider, and protect our allotments for future generations to enjoy.

For people without gardens, allotments are the only outdoor space they can call their own. Once we lose them we won’t get them back.

So let’s send a clear and urgent message to the Deputy Prime Minister. Angela, you can halt this deeply unpopular policy. Don’t sell off any more allotments!