Recommendation 29

Natural England is not meeting its current demands effectively, and new responsibilities it is taking on, such as responsibility for the Nature Restoration Fund, are substantial.77 Capacity and skills gaps are long- 69 Q 56 70 Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, part 3, para 62 71 Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, part 3, para 63 72 Qq 39-40 73 Q 30 74 Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, part 3, paras 62-63 75 Q 38 76 Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, part 3, para 82 77 Q 41 18 standing challenges for the regulators, with Natural England having shortages of some key skills and expertise.78 Natural England told us that it particularly struggles to recruit and retain people with planning skills.79 In February 2016, Natural England had 15 vacancies in its planning policy reform programme, a vacancy rate of 16% compared to its approved headcount.80 Natural England told us it is concerned about this gap given its new responsibilities from the Planning and Infrastructure Act.81