PAC sceptical that Defra has the skills or resources to reform regulation

(by Karma Loveday)

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has published a damning report for Defra and its environmental regulators, which expresses scepticism about their ability to manage upcoming reform and deliver the twin goals of economic growth and environmental protection.

Environmental regulation noted that Defra, the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural England are changing the way they regulate in response to 149 recommendations from multiple independent reviews. But: “The report finds that the large volume of change activity does not appear well-coordinated, and is sceptical that regulators have the resources and skills to manage the upcoming changes.”

The Committee said: “It is concerning that Defra does not yet have a clear vision for what the right regulatory system should be, what it is aiming to achieve through regulation and how it will do so. The forthcoming changes to create a new water regulator provide the opportunity for large-scale reform. But despite the challenges in the wider environmental regulatory system, Defra is not considering structural reforms such as merging existing regulators.

“We are not convinced Defra and the regulators have sufficient resources and capability to implement the substantial changes the system requires, despite their assurances. Demands on the regulators are increasing as they take on more duties and responsibilities, and it will be challenging to move away from their current risk-averse culture.”

The PAC argued merging the EA and Natural England would be beneficial. “This could enable the establishment of a single organisational culture which balances protection and enhancement of nature and the environment with supporting economic growth.”

It also called for better guidance and support for farmers in particular, and expressed concern about the Nature Restoration Fund’s ability to balance development with protecting nature and biodiversity. 

Among the series of recommendations was that within six months of the report, Defra should publish a detailed plan which sets out how it intends to change the overall regulatory environment, how it is implementing the 149 recommendations, what assurance it has that regulators have the resources they need, and when the change will be completed. The plan should include a clear statement of what legislative change is needed and when.