Covid-19: Up to £10,000 fine for failure to self-isolate in England - BBC News

Refusing to self-isolate when told to is now illegal in England from Monday, with fines of up to £10,000.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, or has been told they have been in contact with someone who has, now has a legal duty to quarantine.

It comes as a study commissioned by the government found just 18% of people who had symptoms went into isolation.

Meanwhile, the government has promised an "uninterrupted supply" of PPE for front-line workers over the winter.

Four-month stockpiles of PPE - personal protective equipment such as masks, visors and gowns - will be available from November, the Department of Health has said.

• What are the self-isolation rules?
• The latest social distancing rules in England

From Monday, it will be a punishable offence not to comply with an official instruction to self-isolate, with fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders or serious breaches.

Police officers can check that people are complying with the rules in virus hotspots and among high-risk groups based on "local intelligence", the government said.

The law applies to people who have tested positive for coronavirus, or who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate as they have been in close contact with someone with the virus.

And if someone tests positive, it is illegal to knowingly give false information about their close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

People on low incomes who cannot work and are losing income while self isolating will be able to get a £500 payment.

Nearly four million people who receive benefits in England will be eligible for the money, and it will be backdated once the scheme is properly set up in their council area, the Department of Health said.

Home Secretary Priti Patel added the new fines were "a clear sign that we will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority."

And Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government will "not hesitate" to introduce further measures if case numbers continue to rise.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

As of the last week of August, more than 19,000 fines had been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, a letter from the attorney general said.

The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.

Earlier this month, the Scottish health secretary said the issue would be under discussion.

Meanwhile, Wales is the latest part of the UK to bring in further local lockdown rules, with new restrictions in Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan from 18:00 BST on Monday.

It will mean nearly two-thirds of Wales' population will be under lockdown - with people not allowed to enter or leave their county unless for a limited number of reasons and banned from meeting other households indoors.

• The latest lockdown rules in Wales

Men and young 'less likely to follow rules'

The government's self-isolation rules mean a person cannot leave their house - even to buy food or other essentials, or to exercise.

It requires anyone with symptoms or a positive test result to isolate for 10 days, while members of their household or people who have been contacted by Test and Trace must quarantine for 14 days.

The crackdown on self-isolating comes as research carried out for the Department of Health found that the number of people with symptoms following the self-isolation rules was low.

Although people's intention to self-isolate was high - around 70% - only 11% of people went into quarantine after being asked to by NHS Test and Trace.

The most common reasons that people gave for not self-isolating were because they needed to go to the shops for groceries or a pharmacy or because their symptoms got better.

Men and younger people were also less likely to follow the test, trace and isolate guidance, the research added.

Mr Hancock has also promised that health and social care workers will get enough PPE, as the number of UK coronavirus cases rises again.

He said it had been a "massive challenge" to get enough at the start of the pandemic - when health and care staff warned of widespread shortages.

"That's why we have worked every day since to ensure we have an uninterrupted supply to meet the challenges in the coming months and protect those who are protecting us," he said.

The Department of Health said 70% of the expected demand for PPE will be met by UK manufacturers from December.

• PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVE: How lockdown has changed the way I think about my career
• THE ASK MARTIN LEWIS PODCAST: Is there a silver lining to a Covid Christmas?

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2020-09-28 06:13:59Z
52781088907099

Covid-19: Up to £10,000 fine for failure to self-isolate in England - BBC News

Refusing to self-isolate when told to is now illegal in England from Monday, with fines of up to £10,000.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, or has been told they have been in contact with someone who has, now has a legal duty to quarantine.

It comes as a study commissioned by the government found just 18% of people who had symptoms went into isolation.

Meanwhile, the government has promised an "uninterrupted supply" of PPE for front-line workers over the winter.

Four-month stockpiles of PPE - personal protective equipment such as masks, visors and gowns - will be available from November, the Department of Health has said.

• What are the self-isolation rules?
• The latest social distancing rules in England

From Monday, it will be a punishable offence not to comply with an official instruction to self-isolate, with fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders or serious breaches.

Police officers can check that people are complying with the rules in virus hotspots and among high-risk groups based on "local intelligence", the government said.

The law applies to people who have tested positive for coronavirus, or who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate as they have been in close contact with someone with the virus.

And if someone tests positive, it is illegal to knowingly give false information about their close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

People on low incomes who cannot work and are losing income while self isolating will be able to get a £500 payment.

Nearly four million people who receive benefits in England will be eligible for the money, and it will be backdated once the scheme is properly set up in their council area, the Department of Health said.

Home Secretary Priti Patel added the new fines were "a clear sign that we will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority."

And Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government will "not hesitate" to introduce further measures if case numbers continue to rise.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

As of the last week of August, more than 19,000 fines had been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, a letter from the attorney general said.

The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.

Earlier this month, the Scottish health secretary said the issue would be under discussion.

Meanwhile, Wales is the latest part of the UK to bring in further local lockdown rules, with new restrictions in Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan from 18:00 BST on Monday.

It will mean nearly two-thirds of Wales' population will be under lockdown - with people not allowed to enter or leave their county unless for a limited number of reasons and banned from meeting other households indoors.

• The latest lockdown rules in Wales

Men and young 'less likely to follow rules'

The government's self-isolation rules mean a person cannot leave their house - even to buy food or other essentials, or to exercise.

It requires anyone with symptoms or a positive test result to isolate for 10 days, while members of their household or people who have been contacted by Test and Trace must quarantine for 14 days.

The crackdown on self-isolating comes as research carried out for the Department of Health found that the number of people with symptoms following the self-isolation rules was low.

Although people's intention to self-isolate was high - around 70% - only 11% of people went into quarantine after being asked to by NHS Test and Trace.

The most common reasons that people gave for not self-isolating were because they needed to go to the shops for groceries or a pharmacy or because their symptoms got better.

Men and younger people were also less likely to follow the test, trace and isolate guidance, the research added.

Mr Hancock has also promised that health and social care workers will get enough PPE, as the number of UK coronavirus cases rises again.

He said it had been a "massive challenge" to get enough at the start of the pandemic - when health and care staff warned of widespread shortages.

"That's why we have worked every day since to ensure we have an uninterrupted supply to meet the challenges in the coming months and protect those who are protecting us," he said.

The Department of Health said 70% of the expected demand for PPE will be met by UK manufacturers from December.

• PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVE: How lockdown has changed the way I think about my career
• THE ASK MARTIN LEWIS PODCAST: Is there a silver lining to a Covid Christmas?

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2020-09-28 04:46:13Z
52781088300570

Covid-19: Up to £10,000 fine for failure to self-isolate in England - BBC News

Refusing to self-isolate when told to is now illegal in England from Monday, with fines of up to £10,000.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, or has been told they have been in contact with someone who has, now has a legal duty to quarantine.

It comes as a study commissioned by the government found just 18% of people who had symptoms went into isolation.

Meanwhile, the government has promised an "uninterrupted supply" of PPE for front-line workers over the winter.

Four-month stockpiles of PPE - personal protective equipment such as masks, visors and gowns - will be available from November, the Department of Health has said.

• What are the self-isolation rules?
• The latest social distancing rules in England

From Monday, it will be a punishable offence not to comply with an official instruction to self-isolate, with fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders or serious breaches.

Police officers can check that people are complying with the rules in virus hotspots and among high-risk groups based on "local intelligence", the government said.

The law applies to people who have tested positive for coronavirus, or who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate as they have been in close contact with someone with the virus.

And if someone tests positive, it is illegal to knowingly give false information about their close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

People on low incomes who cannot work and are losing income while self isolating will be able to get a £500 payment.

Nearly four million people who receive benefits in England will be eligible for the money, and it will be backdated once the scheme is properly set up in their council area, the Department of Health said.

Home Secretary Priti Patel added the new fines were "a clear sign that we will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority."

And Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government will "not hesitate" to introduce further measures if case numbers continue to rise.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

As of the last week of August, more than 19,000 fines had been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, a letter from the attorney general said.

The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.

Earlier this month, the Scottish health secretary said the issue would be under discussion.

Meanwhile, Wales is the latest part of the UK to bring in further local lockdown rules, with new restrictions in Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan from 18:00 BST on Monday.

It will mean nearly two-thirds of Wales' population will be under lockdown - with people not allowed to enter or leave their county unless for a limited number of reasons and banned from meeting other households indoors.

• The latest lockdown rules in Wales

Men and young 'less likely to follow rules'

The government's self-isolation rules mean a person cannot leave their house - even to buy food or other essentials, or to exercise.

It requires anyone with symptoms or a positive test result to isolate for 10 days, while members of their household or people who have been contacted by Test and Trace must quarantine for 14 days.

The crackdown on self-isolating comes as research carried out for the Department of Health found that the number of people with symptoms following the self-isolation rules was low.

Although people's intention to self-isolate was high - around 70% - only 11% of people went into quarantine after being asked to by NHS Test and Trace.

The most common reasons that people gave for not self-isolating were because they needed to go to the shops for groceries or a pharmacy or because their symptoms got better.

Men and younger people were also less likely to follow the test, trace and isolate guidance, the research added.

Mr Hancock has also promised that health and social care workers will get enough PPE, as the number of UK coronavirus cases rises again.

He said it had been a "massive challenge" to get enough at the start of the pandemic - when health and care staff warned of widespread shortages.

"That's why we have worked every day since to ensure we have an uninterrupted supply to meet the challenges in the coming months and protect those who are protecting us," he said.

The Department of Health said 70% of the expected demand for PPE will be met by UK manufacturers from December.

• PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVE: How lockdown has changed the way I think about my career
• THE ASK MARTIN LEWIS PODCAST: Is there a silver lining to a Covid Christmas?

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2020-09-28 04:28:55Z
52781088300570

Covid-19: Up to £10,000 fine for failure to self-isolate in England - BBC News

Refusing to self-isolate when told to is now illegal in England from Monday, with fines of up to £10,000.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, or has been told they have been in contact with someone who has, now has a legal duty to quarantine.

It comes as a study commissioned by the government found just 18% of people who had symptoms went into isolation.

Meanwhile, the government has promised an "uninterrupted supply" of PPE for front-line workers over the winter.

Four-month stockpiles of PPE - personal protective equipment such as masks, visors and gowns - will be available from November, the Department of Health has said.

• What are the self-isolation rules?
• The latest social distancing rules in England

From Monday, it will be a punishable offence not to comply with an official instruction to self-isolate, with fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders or serious breaches.

Police officers can check that people are complying with the rules in virus hotspots and among high-risk groups based on "local intelligence", the government said.

The law applies to people who have tested positive for coronavirus, or who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate as they have been in close contact with someone with the virus.

And if someone tests positive, it is illegal to knowingly give false information about their close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

People on low incomes who cannot work and are losing income while self isolating will be able to get a £500 payment.

Nearly four million people who receive benefits in England will be eligible for the money, and it will be backdated once the scheme is properly set up in their council area, the Department of Health said.

Home Secretary Priti Patel added the new fines were "a clear sign that we will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority."

And Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government will "not hesitate" to introduce further measures if case numbers continue to rise.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

As of the last week of August, more than 19,000 fines had been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, a letter from the attorney general said.

The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.

Earlier this month, the Scottish health secretary said the issue would be under discussion.

Meanwhile, Wales is the latest part of the UK to bring in further local lockdown rules, with new restrictions in Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan from 18:00 BST on Monday.

It will mean nearly two-thirds of Wales' population will be under lockdown - with people not allowed to enter or leave their county unless for a limited number of reasons and banned from meeting other households indoors.

• The latest lockdown rules in Wales

Men and young 'less likely to follow rules'

The government's self-isolation rules mean a person cannot leave their house - even to buy food or other essentials, or to exercise.

It requires anyone with symptoms or a positive test result to isolate for 10 days, while members of their household or people who have been contacted by Test and Trace must quarantine for 14 days.

The crackdown on self-isolating comes as research carried out for the Department of Health found that the number of people with symptoms following the self-isolation rules was low.

Although people's intention to self-isolate was high - around 70% - only 11% of people went into quarantine after being asked to by NHS Test and Trace.

The most common reasons that people gave for not self-isolating were because they needed to go to the shops for groceries or a pharmacy or because their symptoms got better.

Men and younger people were also less likely to follow the test, trace and isolate guidance, the research added.

Mr Hancock has also promised that health and social care workers will get enough PPE, as the number of UK coronavirus cases rises again.

He said it had been a "massive challenge" to get enough at the start of the pandemic - when health and care staff warned of widespread shortages.

"That's why we have worked every day since to ensure we have an uninterrupted supply to meet the challenges in the coming months and protect those who are protecting us," he said.

The Department of Health said 70% of the expected demand for PPE will be met by UK manufacturers from December.

• PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVE: How lockdown has changed the way I think about my career
• THE ASK MARTIN LEWIS PODCAST: Is there a silver lining to a Covid Christmas?

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2020-09-28 03:45:18Z
52781088300570

Covid-19: Up to £10,000 fine for failure to self-isolate in England - BBC News

Refusing to self-isolate when told to is now illegal in England from Monday, with fines of up to £10,000.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, or has been told they have been in contact with someone who has, now has a legal duty to quarantine.

It comes as a study commissioned by the government found just 18% of people who had symptoms went into isolation.

Meanwhile, the government has promised an "uninterrupted supply" of PPE for front-line workers over the winter.

Four-month stockpiles of PPE - personal protective equipment such as masks, visors and gowns - will be available from November, the Department of Health has said.

• What are the self-isolation rules?
• The latest social distancing rules in England

From Monday, it will be a punishable offence not to comply with an official instruction to self-isolate, with fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders or serious breaches.

Police officers can check that people are complying with the rules in virus hotspots and among high-risk groups based on "local intelligence", the government said.

The law applies to people who have tested positive for coronavirus, or who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate as they have been in close contact with someone with the virus.

And if someone tests positive, it is illegal to knowingly give false information about their close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

People on low incomes who cannot work and are losing income while self isolating will be able to get a £500 payment.

Nearly four million people who receive benefits in England will be eligible for the money, and it will be backdated once the scheme is properly set up in their council area, the Department of Health said.

Home Secretary Priti Patel added the new fines were "a clear sign that we will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority."

And Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government will "not hesitate" to introduce further measures if case numbers continue to rise.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

As of the last week of August, more than 19,000 fines had been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, a letter from the attorney general said.

The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.

Earlier this month, the Scottish health secretary said the issue would be under discussion.

Meanwhile, Wales is the latest part of the UK to bring in further local lockdown rules, with new restrictions in Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan from 18:00 BST on Monday.

It will mean nearly two-thirds of Wales' population will be under lockdown - with people not allowed to enter or leave their county unless for a limited number of reasons and banned from meeting other households indoors.

• The latest lockdown rules in Wales

Men and young 'less likely to follow rules'

The government's self-isolation rules mean a person cannot leave their house - even to buy food or other essentials, or to exercise.

It requires anyone with symptoms or a positive test result to isolate for 10 days, while members of their household or people who have been contacted by Test and Trace must quarantine for 14 days.

The crackdown on self-isolating comes as research carried out for the Department of Health found that the number of people with symptoms following the self-isolation rules was low.

Although people's intention to self-isolate was high - around 70% - only 11% of people went into quarantine after being asked to by NHS Test and Trace.

The most common reasons that people gave for not self-isolating were because they needed to go to the shops for groceries or a pharmacy or because their symptoms got better.

Men and younger people were also less likely to follow the test, trace and isolate guidance, the research added.

Mr Hancock has also promised that health and social care workers will get enough PPE, as the number of UK coronavirus cases rises again.

He said it had been a "massive challenge" to get enough at the start of the pandemic - when health and care staff warned of widespread shortages.

"That's why we have worked every day since to ensure we have an uninterrupted supply to meet the challenges in the coming months and protect those who are protecting us," he said.

The Department of Health said 70% of the expected demand for PPE will be met by UK manufacturers from December.

• PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVE: How lockdown has changed the way I think about my career
• THE ASK MARTIN LEWIS PODCAST: Is there a silver lining to a Covid Christmas?

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2020-09-28 03:00:25Z
52781088300570

Covid-19: Up to £10,000 fine for failure to self-isolate in England - BBC News

Refusing to self-isolate when told to is now illegal in England from Monday, with fines of up to £10,000.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19, or has been told they have been in contact with someone who has, now has a legal duty to quarantine.

It comes as a study commissioned by the government found just 18% of people who had symptoms went into isolation.

Meanwhile, the government has promised an "uninterrupted supply" of PPE for front-line workers over the winter.

Four-month stockpiles of PPE - personal protective equipment such as masks, visors and gowns - will be available from November, the Department of Health has said.

• What are the self-isolation rules?
• The latest social distancing rules in England

From Monday, it will be a punishable offence not to comply with an official instruction to self-isolate, with fines starting at £1,000 and rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders or serious breaches.

Police officers can check that people are complying with the rules in virus hotspots and among high-risk groups based on "local intelligence", the government said.

The law applies to people who have tested positive for coronavirus, or who have been told by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate as they have been in close contact with someone with the virus.

And if someone tests positive, it is illegal to knowingly give false information about their close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

People on low incomes who cannot work and are losing income while self isolating will be able to get a £500 payment.

Nearly four million people who receive benefits in England will be eligible for the money, and it will be backdated once the scheme is properly set up in their council area, the Department of Health said.

Home Secretary Priti Patel added the new fines were "a clear sign that we will not allow those who break the rules to reverse the hard-won progress made by the law-abiding majority."

And Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government will "not hesitate" to introduce further measures if case numbers continue to rise.

Media playback is unsupported on your device

As of the last week of August, more than 19,000 fines had been issued in England and Wales for alleged breaches of coronavirus laws, a letter from the attorney general said.

The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - which all have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.

Earlier this month, the Scottish health secretary said the issue would be under discussion.

Meanwhile, Wales is the latest part of the UK to bring in further local lockdown rules, with new restrictions in Neath Port Talbot, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan from 18:00 BST on Monday.

It will mean nearly two-thirds of Wales' population will be under lockdown - with people not allowed to enter or leave their county unless for a limited number of reasons and banned from meeting other households indoors.

• The latest lockdown rules in Wales

Men and young 'less likely to follow rules'

The government's self-isolation rules mean a person cannot leave their house - even to buy food or other essentials, or to exercise.

It requires anyone with symptoms or a positive test result to isolate for 10 days, while members of their household or people who have been contacted by Test and Trace must quarantine for 14 days.

The crackdown on self-isolating comes as research carried out for the Department of Health found that the number of people with symptoms following the self-isolation rules was low.

Although people's intention to self-isolate was high - around 70% - only 11% of people went into quarantine after being asked to by NHS Test and Trace.

The most common reasons that people gave for not self-isolating were because they needed to go to the shops for groceries or a pharmacy or because their symptoms got better.

Men and younger people were also less likely to follow the test, trace and isolate guidance, the research added.

Mr Hancock has also promised that health and social care workers will get enough PPE, as the number of UK coronavirus cases rises again.

He said it had been a "massive challenge" to get enough at the start of the pandemic - when health and care staff warned of widespread shortages.

"That's why we have worked every day since to ensure we have an uninterrupted supply to meet the challenges in the coming months and protect those who are protecting us," he said.

The Department of Health said 70% of the expected demand for PPE will be met by UK manufacturers from December.

• PANDEMIC PERSPECTIVE: How lockdown has changed the way I think about my career
• THE ASK MARTIN LEWIS PODCAST: Is there a silver lining to a Covid Christmas?

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2020-09-28 01:44:17Z
52781088300570

Boris Johnson promises to protect 30% of UK's land by 2030 - BBC News

An extra 400,000 hectares of English countryside will be protected to support the recovery of nature under plans to be announced by Boris Johnson.

The prime minister will make the commitment at a virtual United Nations event later.

He is joining a global pledge from 65 leaders to reverse losses in the natural world by the same date.

National parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty and other protected areas make up 26% of land in England.

Mr Johnson will promise that the government will increase the amount of protected land in the UK from 26% at present to 30% by 2030.

The environment is a devolved matter but the government has said it will work with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as landowners, to increase the amount of protected land across the UK.

• What's in Boris Johnson's climate in tray?
• Where are England's 10 national parks?

The prime minister will sign the Leaders' Pledge for Nature, which includes commitments to prioritise a green recovery following the coronavirus pandemic, deliver ambitious biodiversity targets and increase financing for nature.

Mr Johnson will say countries must turn "words into action" and "agree ambitious goals and binding targets".

"We cannot afford dither and delay because biodiversity loss is happening today and it is happening at a frightening rate," he will say.

"Left unchecked, the consequences will be catastrophic for us all.

"Extinction is forever - so our action must be immediate."

World leaders have often come together to strike deals over climate change, but a top level commitment on nature is much more rare.

Environmentalists are delighted - they say nature is in freefall and urgently needs protection as roads, railways, housing and farmland cover the Earth.

But they say Boris Johnson must lead by example. They point out that around half of existing Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the UK are in poor condition, many through lack of funding.

What's more, measures to protect wildlife in the Environment Bill are becalmed in the Commons for want of parliamentary time.

Campaigners say if the UK is really taking nature seriously it must avoid trade deals that damage wildlife.

It must also clamp down on imports of food that have caused environmental destruction overseas - such as beef farming in the Amazon.

Martin Harper, the RSPB's director of global conservation, said the 30% commitment could be a "huge step towards addressing the crisis our wildlife is facing".

"However, targets on paper won't be enough," he said. "Those set a decade ago failed because they weren't backed up by action."

Mr Harper said the pledge must be put into domestic law "as part of a suite of goals to restore the abundance and diversity of our wildlife, in every country in the UK".

Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said it was a "good start" but "a much greater level of urgent action" was needed to put nature into recovery, including rescuing wildlife sites currently in decline.

He said many National Parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty were "severely depleted of wildlife because of overgrazing, poor management or intensive agricultural practices", while around half of sites of special scientific interest were "in a poor state and suffering wildlife declines".

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2020-09-27 23:01:02Z
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