Budget cuts of at least 30%

[JennyMorgan]

Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Cuts of 30% have been agreed, with the department expected to scale back the extent of its footprint whilst prioritising spending on flood and disease prevention.

To achieve an average of 30% surely means cuts of up to 40% in some quarters, and the National Parks grants would be an easy option. Arguably us boaters are protected in that our tolls are ring fenced, to a degree. However, as grants drop you can almost guarantee that the pressure on our tolls will increase, and so will the demand for an increased toll. 

Quite clearly the time has come for a review of the Authority's duties and finances. All in my opinion, of course!

[ExSurveyor]

Peter,

The detail behind the headlines are that the cuts are 8% a year over the life of the parliament and are for the running costs of the department. Capital expenditure is ring fenced.,  allegedly. 

I  suppose it depends which budget the grant comes from..

[JennyMorgan]

The devil is undoubtedly in the detail. DEFRA largely finances the BA via its National Parks grants. I understand that the Council for National Parks and The Broads are expecting substantial cuts to their grants although I have no actual details.