Defra has announced its funding for 2008-9 for the bodies under its wing, including BW and EA.
British Waterways is to receive approximately the same amount as last year - i.e. a "flat cash" settlement (£56.6m). As this does not allow for inflation, it is in effect a cut in real terms, but can be seen as moderately good news as there was always the possibility of further cuts as happened in 2006 and 2007. See: www.saveourwaterways.org.uk/news And the Save Our Waterways blog entry: www.saveourwaterways.org.uk/wp where you can add your comments. The Waterways minister hinted to waterways groups in December that "flat cash" funding was a likely outcome and this has now been confirmed. EA has not yet said what proportion of its grant will go to its navigations. Although things could have been worse, it still leaves BW considerably short of the money it needs, so there is a continuing need to lobby MPs and support the ongoing campaigns of IWA, other user groups and SOW. -- Martin Clark Internet Boaters' Database http://www.lock13.co.uk/boats Pennine Waterways Website http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk
