Environmental regulation

Public Accounts Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 12 Dec 2025 Parliament page
Regulation is one of the main tools the government is using to make a success of the Environmental Improvement Plan . Government’s stated intention is to streamline regulation, to both safeguard nature and drive economic growth. Environmental regulators are sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), … Read more
13 Recommendations
17 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
2 Letters
1 Event
Activity timeline 4 events
25 Mar
2026
Report published
23 Feb
2026
Correspondence
23 Feb
2026
Correspondence
2 Feb
2026
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
2 Feb 2026
View on parliament.uk
Marian Spain · Natural England Paul Kissack · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Philip Duffy · Environment Agency Sally Randall · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Title HC No. Published Items Response
74th Report - Environmental regulation HC 1687 25 Mar 2026 30 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
25 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Defra and the regulators are still a long way from where they need to be...
Defra and the regulators are still a long way from where they need to be in modernising their IT systems and processes. In 2023, we reported that Defra and its arm’s-length bodies had one of the most significant legacy IT … Read more
Government Response
Natural England has assigned a Chief Officer with responsibility for Digital and Data; Defra is directing transformation investment towards regulatory activities.
HM Treasury
View details
4 Recommendation Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Waste regulation as currently set up is not effective enough at stopping waste crime or...
Waste regulation as currently set up is not effective enough at stopping waste crime or non-compliance. Regulation of the waste sector is not adequately addressing the rising problem of illegal waste dumping. We are encouraged by the Environment Agency’s recent … Read more
Government Response
Defra will strengthen intelligence capabilities, invest in advanced technologies, and review intelligence sharing between agencies to improve detection of waste crime, including evaluating the application of new technologies to improve response times. The Home Office and NPCC will review the multi-agency response and the Environment Agency is introducing a new Operational Waste Intelligence and Analysis Unit.
HM Treasury
View details
6 Recommendation Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
The Nature Restoration Fund has potential to benefit the environment and support developers, but we...
The Nature Restoration Fund has potential to benefit the environment and support developers, but we are not yet convinced Defra and Natural England are able to implement it effectively. The Nature Restoration Fund is an innovative solution to raising funds … Read more
Government Response
Defra and Natural England published the Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) Implementation Plan, setting out the approach to delivering the NRF, including plans for reporting on progress. The government will also provide updates on key developments as delivery progresses and has committed to report back to Parliament on the first nutrient pollution EDPs before any other EDPs are published.
HM Treasury
View details
7 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
After a period of limited change to the regulatory landscape, three major reviews in 2025...
After a period of limited change to the regulatory landscape, three major reviews in 2025 made 149 recommendations to Defra or its arm’s-length bodies. Defra told us that a common finding from the reviews was that the regulatory system was … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is 'already delivering' a coordinated reform programme that addresses the committee's concerns about the effectiveness, coherence, and resourcing of environmental regulation. This programme integrates recommendations from multiple reviews, focusing on prioritising reforms for maximum impact.
HM Treasury
View details
8 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Both the regulators and Defra consider the complexity of the legislation under which they operate...
Both the regulators and Defra consider the complexity of the legislation under which they operate to be a barrier to improvement.13 The Environment Agency told us that tackling some of the obsolete legislation is a way to it to unblock … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the issue, stating that key elements are being addressed through the Water White Paper, forthcoming Water Reform Bill, and Corry Review recommendations. Defra has also committed to consolidating complex agricultural water pollution regulations into a single set of clear national standards.
HM Treasury
View details
9 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Defra already has challenges and pressures over the next few years and has potentially substantial...
Defra already has challenges and pressures over the next few years and has potentially substantial further forthcoming change. Defra assured us that it was able to take on the challenges and that it had the skills and resources to lead … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the concerns about effectiveness and resourcing, stating it is 'already delivering' a coordinated reform programme. This programme integrates recommendations from several reviews and includes initiatives like Lead Environmental Regulator (LER) pilots and new Strategic Policy Statements to strengthen regulators' culture, capability, and decision-making.
HM Treasury
View details
10 Recommendation Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Environmental regulation is complex, with more than 3,000 separate pieces of legislation and more than...
Environmental regulation is complex, with more than 3,000 separate pieces of legislation and more than 150 pieces of historic regulation on farming alone.20 Each regulator has a wide and complex regulatory remit and applies a range of approaches. The Environment … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it has established the Planning Reform Portfolio for coordinated action and is piloting the Lead Environmental Regulator model to improve collaboration between bodies like Natural England and the Environment Agency, with a focus on shared services and common capabilities.
HM Treasury
View details
11 Recommendation Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Defra’s approach to environmental regulation has largely been reactive rather than based on a clear...
Defra’s approach to environmental regulation has largely been reactive rather than based on a clear strategy and evidence of what is needed. Its regulatory approach has tended to focus on short-term priorities or high- profile issues, as shown by recent … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states the recommendation has been implemented by publishing Strategic Policy Statements for the Environment Agency and Natural England on 12 March 2026, setting out strategic priorities and expectations for regulators.
HM Treasury
View details
12 Recommendation Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
When we asked the regulators what they would most value from Defra to improve the...
When we asked the regulators what they would most value from Defra to improve the way they can regulate, both responded that they need clarity of outcomes and frameworks, standards and rules, and targets and performance metrics. Natural England told … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it has implemented it by publishing Strategic Policy Statements for the Environment Agency and Natural England on 12 March 2026, which set out clear strategic priorities and frameworks for their operations.
HM Treasury
View details
13 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Defra’s approach to funding the regulators shows that Defra does not always appear to have...
Defra’s approach to funding the regulators shows that Defra does not always appear to have considered the total costs and benefits of changes. For example, from 2018–19, Defra cut funding for inspections of non- permitted farms before increasing it again … Read more
Government Response
Defra states it is already delivering a coordinated reform programme to address concerns about environmental regulation, drawing on various reviews and upcoming legislation. It will provide a written update within six months detailing progress on these reforms, which include regulatory governance and delivery changes.
HM Treasury
View details
14 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
In 2023, the previous Committee reported that Defra had one of the most significant legacy...
In 2023, the previous Committee reported that Defra had one of the most significant legacy IT challenges across government, with a proliferation of outdated applications.33 Data and intelligence gaps still affect the work of the regulators, with their ability to … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, stating the recommendation has been implemented with significant investment in digital transformation, including £100 million for a cross-Defra digital planning reform programme and £800 million per annum for various digital services and IT improvements across regulatory activities.
HM Treasury
View details
15 Recommendation Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Defra told us that historically the Department and its arm’s-length bodies developed their own IT...
Defra told us that historically the Department and its arm’s-length bodies developed their own IT systems, and these do not always interact easily with each other. Defra told us it had tried to bring these together centrally and that it … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation and commits £100 million for a cross-Defra digital planning reform programme, focusing on common data models, aligned casework systems, and geospatial mapping. An additional £460 million is earmarked for wider digital transformation across regulatory activities, including specific projects for waste, water reform, and the Nature Restoration Fund.
HM Treasury
View details
16 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
The Environment Agency told us it had a large legacy IT problem in 2020, with...
The Environment Agency told us it had a large legacy IT problem in 2020, with 700 IT systems in total. It told us it had modernised its systems and closed down 350 applications. It had also improved the transparency of … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented. It details £100 million in funding for a cross-Defra digital planning reform programme, including specific investments for casework management, data, online guidance, waste regulation, and water reform.
HM Treasury
View details
17 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
We asked how gaps in digital skills affected Defra and the regulators.
We asked how gaps in digital skills affected Defra and the regulators. Defra told us it has the skills at a senior level, with a Chief Digital Information Officer, along with a non-executive board member possessing expertise in digital skills.42 … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, noting Natural England has assigned a Chief Officer for Digital and Data, and the Environment Agency has a Director of Service Transformation, fulfilling similar roles within Defra Group's federated model.
HM Treasury
View details
18 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
The Environment Agency regulates a range of industrial sectors and various parts of the waste...
The Environment Agency regulates a range of industrial sectors and various parts of the waste management system, including landfill sites, mining, energy from waste, producer packaging and international waste shipments.44 It issues permits to, and inspects, waste sites. In 2024–25 … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and aims for implementation by September 2027. It will strengthen intelligence capabilities through the Waste Crime Action Plan, invest in advanced technologies, establish an Operational Waste Intelligence and Analysis Unit, and use HM Land Registry data to detect unusual activity.
HM Treasury
View details
19 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
The Environment Agency also has some responsibilities for tackling waste crime.
The Environment Agency also has some responsibilities for tackling waste crime. Waste crime refers to, for example, sites which operate without a permit, breaches of permit conditions, fly tipping, and failure to pay landfill tax.48 In 2022, the NAO estimated … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and aims for implementation by September 2027. It will strengthen intelligence capabilities through the Waste Crime Action Plan, invest in advanced technologies, establish an Operational Waste Intelligence and Analysis Unit, and use HM Land Registry data to detect waste crime earlier.
HM Treasury
View details
20 Recommendation Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
The Environment Agency told us that tackling illegal waste sites is also the responsibility of...
The Environment Agency told us that tackling illegal waste sites is also the responsibility of local authorities or the police. The Environment Agency lacks some powers to act, such as civil enforcement powers which are often faster and cheaper than … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, setting a target implementation date of September 2027, and outlines a comprehensive plan to strengthen intelligence capabilities and inter-agency cooperation to tackle waste crime. This includes investing in advanced technologies, reviewing intelligence sharing, establishing a new Operational Waste Intelligence and Analysis Unit, and providing the Environment Agency with better access to land ownership data.
HM Treasury
View details
21 Recommendation Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Enforcement action is sometimes necessary, but it is costly for the regulators and may require...
Enforcement action is sometimes necessary, but it is costly for the regulators and may require court action.54 Enforcement is needed less often when advice, guidance and support help those businesses comply in the first place. Businesses often do not understand … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and will review how farmers access regulatory guidance, develop a delivery plan by January 2027, consolidate water pollution regulations, publish a Farming Roadmap, and establish a new single water regulator pending a Water Reform Bill.
HM Treasury
View details
22 Recommendation Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Defra told us about ways in which it expects the regulatory burden on farmers to...
Defra told us about ways in which it expects the regulatory burden on farmers to improve in the coming months. It plans to set out a farming roadmap which will present the outcomes it wants to see and how it … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, setting a target implementation date of January 2027. It plans to publish a Farming Roadmap this year, review how farmers access regulatory guidance by January 2027, and consolidate water pollution regulations, while also establishing a new, integrated water regulator to reduce burdens.
HM Treasury
View details
23 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Defra will also introduce a single water regulator, which will take on the water-related regulatory...
Defra will also introduce a single water regulator, which will take on the water-related regulatory functions of Natural England, the Environment Agency, Ofwat and the Drinking Water Inspectorate.59 Government intends to publish a transition plan for the reforms in 2026.60 … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and aims for implementation by January 2027. It will introduce a single water regulator by bringing together existing regulatory functions and plans to publish a Water Reform Bill to legally establish this new body.
HM Treasury
View details
24 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
The Environment Agency conceded that a lot of guidance is confusing, difficult to follow, and...
The Environment Agency conceded that a lot of guidance is confusing, difficult to follow, and should be revised.61 It described how it had worked to improve how it engages with farmers, such as issuing additional guidance on preparing for an … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees, acknowledging progress in supporting farms into compliance. Defra will review how farmers access regulatory guidance and develop a delivery plan by January 2027, consolidate agricultural water pollution regulations, and publish a Farming Roadmap.
HM Treasury
View details
25 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Natural England told us it has made progress in improving its guidance through adding real-life...
Natural England told us it has made progress in improving its guidance through adding real-life case studies so that businesses can understand what they need to do to comply.66 Defra also explained it has piloted the use of AI tools … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees with the committee's observation, acknowledging progress in improving guidance for farmers. Defra will conduct an internal review of how farmers access regulatory guidance, including digital tools, and develop a delivery plan by January 2027.
HM Treasury
View details
28 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
The first step in implementing the Nature Restoration Fund is to produce Environmental Delivery Plans...
The first step in implementing the Nature Restoration Fund is to produce Environmental Delivery Plans which will set out the nature and scale of mitigation needed in the location where a development happens.74 Natural England told us it is working … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees and states the recommendation is implemented, as the Nature Restoration Fund Implementation Plan was published in December 2025. Natural England will publish annual reports on NRF progress, and updates will be provided to Parliament on Environmental Delivery Plans.
HM Treasury
View details
29 Conclusion Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Natural England is not meeting its current demands effectively, and new responsibilities it is taking...
Natural England is not meeting its current demands effectively, and new responsibilities it is taking on, such as responsibility for the Nature Restoration Fund, are substantial.77 Capacity and skills gaps are long- 69 Q 56 70 Planning and Infrastructure Act … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's concerns about Natural England's capacity and skills gaps, stating it is addressing them through a coordinated reform programme. This includes significant investment in a cross-Defra digital planning reform programme focusing on improved casework management, data, and online guidance, and earmarking £5.2 million for a new digital service for the Nature Restoration Fund.
HM Treasury
View details
30 Recommendation Accepted
74th Report - Environmental regula…
Statutory biodiversity net gain (BNG) is an existing scheme requiring that developers’ planning applications avoid...
Statutory biodiversity net gain (BNG) is an existing scheme requiring that developers’ planning applications avoid harm to biodiversity as much as possible and more than offset any harms with biodiversity improvements. In this way, BNG has a similar overall objective … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it has run a full lessons-learned exercise following BNG's delivery. The insights from this exercise have informed the implementation approach for the Nature Restoration Fund, with teams continuing to work closely to ensure alignment between the two programmes.
HM Treasury
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 30 of 13 classified
Accepted 25
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 1
Total 13 recs + 17 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
23 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from the Chief Executive of Natural England relating to the Committee’s evidence session on 02 February 2026 on Environmental Regulation, 13 February 2026
Parliament page
23 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from the Chief Executive Officer of the Environment Agency relating to the Committee’s evidence session on 02 February 2026 on Environmental Regulation, 06 February 2026
Parliament page