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<p>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.</p><p> </p><p>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.</p><p> </p><p>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.</p>
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