Prospect urges Chancellor to fund regulators and cut planning delays

Trade unions representing climate and regulatory workers have joined forces with climate groups to urge Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use her Budget to increase funding for environmental regulators in order to boost the economy.

In a letter to the Chancellor Prospect, GMB, TUC, PCS, BFAWU, Green Alliance, E3G, Friends of the Earth and the Better Planning Coalition state that regulators are “builders not blockers” countering the repeated use of such language accusing regulators or stifling growth.

The organisations argue that the defunding of regulators under the last government is one of the main reasons for delays in the planning process, citing figures that show that the majority of the increase in missed planning deadlines in recent years has been caused by under-staffing and other resourcing issues.

In addition, the organisations point out that, when given the choice between properly resourcing environmental regulators and cutting back regulations, the public overwhelmingly prefer the former approach. Recent YouGov polling found 60% support for the resourcing proposal, compared to just 13% support for cutting regulations.

The letter argues that the objectives of economic growth and environmental protection are not necessarily in opposition, and that a win-win approach could: “improve the regulatory process for business, in turn promoting economic growth without sacrificing our environmental standards”.

Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, said:

“For too long regulators have been demonised as getting in the way of growth when in actual fact good regulation is the heart of sustainable economic development.

“This is not a binary choice between the environment and growth. Current delays in planning approvals are frequently the result of insufficient resources caused by spending cuts, and nothing to do with regulation.

“If the Chancellor really wants to make this a pro-growth budget that improves the country for the next generation they should take the opportunity to properly fund regulators so they can work with businesses to quickly approve developments while protecting our natural environment.”