Why the UK Government’s ‘growth-at-any-cost’ is misguided

This week, our Chief Executive warned Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves that they are being “simplistic and divisive” by pitting economic growth against protecting the natural world. 

Speaking to The Times Beccy Speight explained that the government’s recent divisive rhetoric was misplaced, and the cause of a growing backlash from environmentalists who fear the impacts on our already struggling wildlife from unrestricted development.  

Beccy’s latest intervention comes after a run of recent controversies, including the Prime Minister’s criticisms of environmental regulators and the Chancellor’s backing of an expansion at Heathrow airport. 

Beccy Speight said: “Recent headline-grabbing soundbites from the Prime Minister and the Chancellor pitting newts versus development, blockers versus builders, and nature and net zero versus growth is not just oversimplistic and divisive, it actively undermines the urgent progress we need on every front. Nature isn’t a luxury, it is the bedrock of economic stability. Pitting nature against progress is as wasteful as spending £100 million on a single bat tunnel: it squanders time, resources, and public trust. 
 
“Bulldozing through environmental safeguards doesn’t pave the way for progress – it paves the way for disaster. Let’s stop framing nature as an obstacle and start recognising it as an ally. Nature-friendly development isn’t a blocker to growth; it’s a blueprint for resilience.  

“With bold leadership and smart planning, we can build a future where nature, climate, and the economy thrive together – the right kind of growth. Anything less is a false choice we can’t afford.”  

Beccy also hinted at the prospect of escalating action and campaigning, if the forthcoming reforms result in the unpicking of protections for nature. “The last government’s so-called ‘attack on nature’ triggered public outrage. Let’s not repeat history,” she added.  

The UK Government has previously talked positively about taking action to address the nature crisis, telling us they want a “win-win” for nature, climate and housebuilding. We must continue to hold them to account.  

Your voice plays a vital role here – will you join over 10,000 others by writing to your MP and urging them to make sure nature is at the heart of planning reform? 

On 4 February RSPB Chief Executive Beccy Speight joined a panel of guests looking at whether it’s possible to go for growth at the same time as going green. Hear Beccy speak up for nature, making the case for a future that works for growth and our environment. 

How could England’s planning reforms impact on nature?