Budget cuts raise fears of 'existential' threat to 46 beauty spots

Proposed budget cuts pose an "existential threat" to England's most beautiful landscapes, countryside managers warned yesterday.

- Helena Horton

The 46 at-risk areas, including the Chilterns, the Cotswolds, the Wye Valley and the north Pennines, were known as areas of outstanding natural beauty until being renamed earlier this year as national landscapes.

Those who run the parks say Steve Reed, the environment secretary, has given no assurances about their finances. His ministry's day-to-day spending will be cut by 2% in the financial year 2025-26.

It is understood that this will be spread across departments, and the national landscapes teams have been told to expect a 12% reduction.

Sarah Gibson, manager of the Tamar Valley National Landscape, told the Guardian: "We are being told we have to prepare for budget cuts.

"Funding for national landscapes is woefully inadequate. We are under significant pressure from degrading nature, development and decreasing funding. But we are charged with providing nature recovery."