Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether Natural England delivers value for money.

Natural England (NE) is an arm's-length body whose expenditure is subject to public accounting and audit arrangements, adhering to the requirements of HMT ‘Managing Public Money’. The National Audit Office also conducts value for money studies across government, including Natural England, which Defra responds to.

The NE Framework Document sets out financial accountabilities and controls and the operational framework between NE and Defra. NE publishes independently audited annual accounts which are laid before Parliament. Defra ensures NE provides value for money by implementing robust accountability including quarterly performance monitoring and Ministerial oversight.