Taxpayers Deserve Transparency on Nature Spending: Our Letter to The Times
- Andrew Gilruth
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
Sir – The conservation charities defending Natural England argue that the answer is yet more regulation and funding (Thunderer, Jun 16; letters, Jun 18, 19 & 23).
Before taxpayers accept that, they deserve to know what existing spending has achieved. Large conservation organisations already receive substantial public funding through Natural England grants, partnerships and recovery programmes.
Yet nature is still said to be in crisis, while too few initiatives are assessed against clear, published measures. Their logic is circular: wildlife is declining, so more money is needed; more money is spent, yet wildlife still declines; therefore more money is demanded.
Landowners are not opposed to protecting nature. We are calling for accountability. If Natural England and its partners want more funding, they should first publish what was spent, who received it and what measurable recovery followed.
It is time for conservation to be judged by wildlife restored, not regulation imposed or funding secured.
Andrew Gilruth
Chief Executive
The Moorland Association
