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Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Wednesday, 30 October 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 November 2019 (named day). It was answered by Rebecca Pow (Conservative) on Monday, 4 November 2019 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Natural England

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2019 to Question 1654 on Natural England, what estimate she has made of the shortfall in the resources available to Natural England to discharge its statutory functions and duties; for what reason Natural England does not have powers to charge for regulatory works; if she will make it her policy to grant Natural England those powers; and if she will make a statement.

Answer

Natural England (NE), like all other Defra sponsored bodies, receives a budget to carry out its duties and responsibilities in line with what is affordable and the Government’s priorities for the natural environment. Grant in Aid has reduced over recent years, however NE receives income from other sources to carry out its duties. The resulting reduction aligns with the Defra Group average of 23% across the same period.

NE’s primary power to charge for services and licences is in section 11 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (‘the Act’). Under section 11(1) of the Act, NE can charge for its services and, for example, uses this power to underpin its chargeable Discretionary Advice Service, through which it is able to offer advice to developers and others in response to non-statutory requests (e.g. pre-application advice). To exercise its powers under section 11(3) of the Act to charge for its service in issuing licences, enabling legislation would need to be in place. Defra is working closely with NE to consider how to broaden its income base.

The recent one-year Spending Round for the financial year 2020 to 2021 saw some additional funds allocated for biodiversity. Defra will work with NE to determine future funding necessary from 2020 to deliver NE’s contribution to Government’s ambitions for the environment, including its 25 Year Plan for the Environment.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
7747
Session
2019-19
Related items
Subjects
Finance Fees and charges Powers Regulation Natural England
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk