Conservation chief's concern at nature restoration budget

THE head of the Government's official environment advisors said he is “concerned” over the budget for nature restoration ahead of the upcoming spending review.

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Tony Juniper, chairman of Natural England, said the “very tight” spending settlement expected in light of current economic stresses will pose “big challenges” for those working to reverse the country's decline in nature.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed is understood to have settled the department's budget for the next three years with the Treasury on Thursday.

It comes ahead of Rachel Reeves announcing her first multi-year spending review settlement as Chancellor on June 11.

The Government has recently come under fierce criticism from environmentalists over proposed changes to nature protections in the planning bill and recent reports that the budget for nature-friendly farming would be slashed.