Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 66
66
Accepted
Natural England lacks adequate resources to deliver government environmental objectives and expectations
Conclusion
If the environmental objectives of the Government are to be achieved, it is vital that Natural England (NE) is adequately resourced. However, NE does not currently have the necessary resources to deliver the Government’s expectations of it. Its reliance on partners, such as local authorities, is concerning considering they are also subject to severe under-resourcing. (Conclusion, Paragraph 226)
Government Response Summary
The government states that it has allocated funding to set up the Nature Restoration Fund and further funding to boost capacity in the planning system, and will continue to work with Natural England to ensure appropriate resources are in place.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
121. The Planning and Infrastructure Act establishes Natural England’s role in developing and implementing the NRF, setting out their core responsibilities for producing and delivering EDPs. 122. The NRF has been designed to operate on a cost-recovery basis with the costs of EDPs being met through the payment of the nature restoration levy by developers. The Act also requires Natural England to spend money received by virtue of the nature restoration levy on conservation measures that relate to the environmental feature in relation to which the levy is charged. This ensures that funding received through the levy cannot be used to fund wider activity within Natural England. 123. We have been clear that the resourcing of Natural England to deliver EDPs is a key focus for Government which is why in last year’s Budget £14 million was allocated to set up the NRF and further funding was included in this year’s Budget to support the NRF as part of the wider funding to boost capacity in the planning system. This shows the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Natural England have the necessary support and funding to deliver the NRF. 124. The Government will continue to work closely with Natural England to ensure appropriate resources are in place to administer the NRF. Crucially, the nature of the legislation means that while capacity or funding constraints could limit the number of EDPs coming forward, once in place, there is an established source of funding to ensure that conservation measures are delivered and improved environmental outcomes are secured.