Central Devon MP, Mel Stride, has welcomed the Government’s recent announcement that 50% of core funding allocations for protected landscapes will be allocated for revenue spending, and will therefore not be restricted by capital expenditure.
This announcement follows a recent meeting between Mr Stride and the Secretary of State for Environment & Rural Affairs (Defra), alongside representatives from Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNP).
The additional £10 million of funding for National Parks and landscapes was originally set to be allocated for capital investment, rather than the revenue spending that DNP particularly needs for day-to-day costs such as staffing.
Mel Stride pushed for Defra to consider Dartmoor National Park’s specific case, and the beneficial flexibility provided by resource funding.
It was announced last week that Defra had agreed to allow for half of the funding allocation in the 24/25 financial year to be given as revenue funding.
Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “I am delighted that Defra has listened to the merits of our proposal and agreed to allocate 50% of the 2024/25 Protected Landscapes funding for revenue expenditure. This will allow Dartmoor National Park the flexibility it requires to tailor spending to the Park’s most urgent needs.”
