Natural England

Natural England today (Thursday 21 February) welcomed news of its 2008-2009 budget settlement from Defra.

The cash settlement of £176m is challenging but will enable Natural England to continue its vital role to safeguard the long-term conservation and enhancement of the natural environment.

Dr Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “We are pleased with the news of our budget settlement for 2008/09. Given the pressures across Defra and the public sector as a whole, this is a good outcome. At a time when the natural environment is high on the public agenda, Natural England must be at the forefront of delivery.”

Helen Phillips continued, “This has been challenging but manageable due to a £16.5m programme of efficiencies we will deliver before the end of 2011. Defra has had to make really tough choices and, this settlement, coupled with a tripling of the budget for our agri-environment schemes over the next seven years, is a good outcome for the natural environment. It is now important that we secure a similarly favourable settlement for years 2 and 3 of the Comprehensive Spending Review period and we look forward to Defra’s announcements on this at the end of March.”

ends

Notes for editors:

For further information please contact the Natural England Press Office on 0845 603 9953, out of hours 07970 098005, email press.office@naturalengland.org.uk.

Natural England's 'Hard Choices' Board Paper can be found at http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/about/board/dec07/121207-NEBPU0803-HardChoices.pdf

Defra's press release can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/080221a.htm