Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Not Addressed
Publish statement outlining conflict of interest protections for Natural England's EDP and Fund roles.
Recommendation
Natural England should publish a clear statement outlining how it will protect against conflicts of interest arising when developing, implementing and assessing Environmental Delivery Plans and the Nature Restoration Fund in response to this report. (Recommendation, Paragraph 85)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response discusses challenges and proposed exemptions for delivering Biodiversity Net Gain on brownfield land with Open Mosaic Habitat, but does not address the recommendation for Natural England to publish a statement on managing conflicts of interest in Environmental Delivery Plans.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
33. The Government and Natural England recognise the importance of avoiding any perception of conflict of interest, and will continue to ensure that Natural England’s advisory and regulatory functions are objective and delivered with high degree of integrity, independently of new functions around the NRF. This will ensure that both Parliament and the public can continue to trust the advice and delivery of nature restoration. 34. The Act establishes clear roles and responsibilities for the various parties involved in the development, consideration and delivery of EDPs. As part of the implementation of the NRF, Natural England will put suitable propriety barriers in place to ensure it can act effectively as an advisory body while also being tasked with preparing and implementing EDPs, as part of the NRF. NE is considering this recommendation further and will publish a policy statement if deemed necessary.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗