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DEFRA is to increase Natural England's budget by 47% this financial year, as its role expands to support a 'green recovery'.
This represents a huge boost for wildlife protection and in Natural England's ability to deliver its core statutory duties of monitoring and improving SSSIs (sites of special scientific interest), as well as the initiatives in the development of a Nature Recovery Network.
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said 'I am delighted to see the government backing nature recovery and giving us more of the tools we need to make a real difference and build back greener'.
The forthcoming Environment Bill includes the requirement for all developments (including housing and infrastructure) to provide a net gain in biodiversity
Natural England will also administer the new 'nature for climate' peatland grant scheme and help DEFRA design the Environmental Land Management Scheme. Post-Brexit support for farmers is intended to provide 'public money for public goods', with farmers paid for services such as flood alleviation.