25
Accepted
Natural England told us it has made progress in improving its guidance through adding real-life...
Conclusion
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 such as chatbots to help farmers locate the right guidance more easily.67 Natural England stated that it is also simplifying written guidance, and seeking to give its customers more autonomy and self-control, with less reliance on and interaction with Natural England processing. For example, it is seeking to give ecologists the accreditation to issue certain licences to customers on Natural England’s behalf, so that Natural England no longer needs direct involvement with the customer.68 A pilot of a ‘lead environmental regulator’ approach to developments involving multiple 58 Qq 60-61 59 Q 66 60 Defra, A New Vision for Water, CP 1490, 20 January 2026 61 Q 53 62 Q 55 63 Q 55 64 Q 24 65 Q 42 66 Q 56 67 Q 71 68 Q 57 17 regulators is also assisting Natural England in understanding the processes and requirements of other environmental regulators, and how these can be better co-ordinated for a single development.69 Nature Restoration Fund
Government Response Summary
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.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: January 2027 5.2 Defra is glad the committee recognises the progress regulators have made to better support farms into compliance, for example the expansion of the Environment Agency's advice-led approach and improved guidance. To go further, Defra is also working with the Department of Business and Trade and Government Digital Service to review how farmers access regulatory guidance, including the effectiveness of existing signposting and the potential role of digital tools to support navigation. The Department will conclude the internal review and develop a delivery plan in January 2027. Defra has committed to consolidating complex agricultural water pollution regulations into a single set of clear, effective and strengthened national standards to improve water quality and protect air and soil quality. Defra will publish the Farming Roadmap this year to set out a long-term direction for farming, including how government expects regulation to evolve over time and how Defra will support the farming sectors to transition to more sustainable, productive and profitable practices.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Inquiry
Environmental regulation
Report
74th Report - Environmental regulation
25 Mar 2026
HC 1687
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.3 yrs
Report published
25 Mar 2026