Funding cuts leave England’s national parks facing ‘existential crisis’

Latest figures suggest the 10 park authorities will have to make cuts of 16m between them over the next three years

England's national parks are facing a funding crisis that is forcing them to make plans to close visitors centres, make park rangers redundant, stop maintaining paths and introduce other cuts, in an effort to balance their budgets, according to the latest figures.

Funding has fallen by 40% in real terms over the last decade, and grants are expected to flatline until 2025 despite rising wage bills and costs. Government funding for national parks has been frozen since last year. Data compiled by National Parks England suggests the country's 10 park authorities will have to make cuts of 16m over the next three years.