National Landscapes: Finance

Tourism is a critical part of the local economy, particularly in regions like Dorset, which benefit from a unique natural landscape and internationally recognised sites such as the Jurassic Coast.

I am fully aware of the importance of protecting these natural landscapes across England.

The Government is committed to promoting sustainable tourism practices, working with local partners to manage visitor numbers responsibly, and supporting projects that focus on conservation. VisitEngland also provides guidance on sustainable tourism to help protect these areas.

National Landscapes play a crucial role in improving public health and wellbeing across England. As well as being essential for our nation’s health, Protected Landscapes protect communities from flooding, fight climate change, and foster a thriving green economy.

In recognition of this, we have committed to empower Protected Landscapes to be greener, wilder and more accessible. In December we announced plans to strengthen their underpinning legislation and introduce regulations to ensure that public bodies deliver better outcomes in Protected Landscapes. We have also extended programmes such as Farming In Protected Landscapes, providing £30 million to support projects in our National Parks and Protected Landscapes, until March 2026.

We understand resourcing remains a challenge and recognise that the Defra core grant is vital to support England’s Protected Landscapes. The Government is facing a very challenging wider fiscal context. This has meant that Defra has had to make difficult decisions about funding. Given these pressures on public finances, we are also committed to working with Protected Landscapes organisations to identify additional sources of funding and foster innovation to ensure their future for generations to come.