George Osborne review of environmental spending

Since becoming Chancellor, George Osborne has implemented a review of environmental spending, supported scrapping the ‘red tape’ that protects the natural environment, and called for the reform of England’s planning system. It’s clear that short-term economic growth is his priority, but there is a real danger that might come at the expense of the natural world that sustains us.

In his autumn statement Osborne referred to the Habitats Regulations, which ensure major developments don’t destroy our most precious wildlife sites, as a ‘ridiculous cost on British business’ and claimed that they amounted to ‘gold plating’ on European legislation.

Secretary of State for Environment, Caroline Spelman, recently stated that the natural environment underpins global economic performance. She had good reason to sound authoritative; she has the weight of evidence from some of the most authoritative research compiled in recent times to back her up.