A letter published today by the Environmental Audit Committee
(EAC) from , Secretary of State for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, confirms that 400 staff have
been moved from Natural England, the Environment Agency, Rural
Payments Agency, and other Defra agencies to work on Brexit.
The letter follows concerns raised by EAC Chair MP in September about Natural
England’s ability to deliver on its statutory responsibilities
such as protecting England’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSIs).
Parliamentary questions tabled by EAC member MP revealed last
month that ministers have also slashed funding for
Natural England’s monitoring of these unique places by 55 per
cent – from £1.58 million to just £700,000 – since 2010, leaving
less than £170 for each of England’s 4,126 SSSIs. A previous parliamentary
question by Caroline found 47 per cent of SSSIs have not
been examined in the last six years, breaching national
guidelines.
Green Party MP
said: “The Government's poaching of
Natural England staff for Brexit work is the latest in a string
of cutbacks that are decimating the agency that looks after
irreplaceable habitats and beautiful landscapes.
"Since 2010 ministers have slashed funding for its work on
Sites of Special Scientific Interest by 55 per cent - leaving our
wildlife exposed.
“This letter proves Michael Gove's promise of a 'Green
Brexit' is pure bluster. It’s vital ministers reverse cuts to
Natural England’s funding immediately and expand its specialist
team to protect and restore our neglected environment.”
MP, Chair of the Environmental
Audit Committee, said:
“Preparations for leaving the EU must not get in the way of
protecting our treasured natural spaces and iconic British
wildlife.
“It is disappointing that Defra has raided staff at Natural
England, the organisation responsible for protecting some of the
most highly valued wildlife areas in England to prepare for
Brexit.
“Natural England must not become a poor relation to Defra.
Ministers must ensure the valuable work it does to promote
biodiversity is given the priority it deserves.”
The Secretary of State’s letter confirms that more than 400
EU Exit posts created within the central department and the
majority have been filled by staff from four agencies including
Natural England and the Environment Agency. 50 staff have been
moved from Natural England, 20% of whom had been working on
SSSIs.
The letter says that staff reallocations will mean some
work which is not related to Brexit would stop. This could
include work on maintaining England’s SSSIs. It says that other
staff would ‘absorb’ work on SSSIs:
“…roles which are not deemed a high priority have been left
unfilled and work reallocated or paused for now.”
Figures from Natural England have shown a fall over the
last 2 years in the proportion of SSSI’s assessed as being in a
favourable condition.
ENDS
An embargoed copy of the letter from Secretary of State
can be found
here: Embargo - 20181101 Defra
to Chair.pdf
