Environment regulator Natural England has a reputation for putting the brakes on housebuilding. No surprise that even when it is handed millions to help build homes it can’t deliver 10% of what it promised…
Back in 2022, the quango unveiled its “Nutrient Mitigation Scheme” – a nutrient-offsetting plan – after Chair Tony Juniper personally assured ministers it would deliver 40,000 homes and implement 16 mitigation projects by the end of 2023. It was awarded £33.5 million for the effort…
FOI responses reveal that 2,999 homes have made it to the point of receiving a Final Nutrient Mitigation Certificate – a mere 7.5% of the pledge – and only two schemes have actually been delivered. Meanwhile, a team of 26 staff has gone through £4.4 million in salaries and overheads. Naturally…
Labour insists its ‘Arms Length Body Review’ of which quangos to abolish is still ongoing. Guido can think of a strong contender…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”