Spelman Contacts Defra Stakeholders Following CSR

26 October 2010

Following the announcement of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR, 18 October 2010), Defra stakeholders were contacted by Caroline Spelman the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on 21 October 2010.

The letter reiterates Defra’s settlement to cut an overall 29 percent from its budget over the next four years, and outlines the Department’s intention to consult on how to give greater long-term certainty of funding to projects and involve local communities more fully in decisions on investment. It also acknowledges that staff number’s across Defra’s network will be reduced by between 20 and 30 percent, and that Defra’s 85 Arm’s Length bodies will be reduced to “just less than 40.”

Although the document demonstrates that the development of British farming, the enhancement of the environment and biodiversity, the support of a green economy and spending on flood and coastal defences are “priorities” for the “focus of [Defra’s] resources,” wastes management concerns were conspicuous by their absence, demonstrating the breadth of Defra’s remit.

Tom Lee