Everyone knows we can’t do basic statutory stuff, let alone the bigger, exciting projects we want to do.
Natural England 'cut to the bone' and unable to protect wildlife, say staff https://t.co/MjVmsRrjrC
— The Guardian (@guardian) November 10, 2020
The government’s conservation watchdog has been “cut to the bone”, with staff underpaid, undervalued and overworked and feeling unable to protect England’s most valuable wildlife sites, according to a new report and testimony from workers.
Mike Clancy, Prospect union general secretary, said there was a “yawning gap” between the government’s rhetoric on climate change and biodiversity, and the reality of years of underfunding environmental agencies.
“Protecting nature means investing in the people who do that work,” he said. “Natural England is at the heart of this agenda but it can only be effective if it is properly funded and the importance of its staff properly recognised.”
