The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hear from the
Environment Agency, Natural England and the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as it investigates
environmental
regulation at 3:30pm on Monday, 2nd
February 2026.
The government has stated a clear intention to streamline
regulation to both safeguard nature and drive economic growth.
However, a report released
earlier this year by the Office for Environmental Protection
found the government was likely to achieve just five of its 43
environmental targets and commitments, and three of the 13
Environmental Act 2021 targets.
Following three separate reviews, Defra and its arms-length
bodies, which include the Environment Agency and Natural England,
face 149 recommendations to help address the challenges in
improving environmental regulation.
A recent report from the
National Audit Office found that the current approach to
regulation has largely been reactive, focusing on short-term
priorities or high-profile issues, rather than being based on a
clear, long-term strategy. It also highlighted the issues with
overlapping responsibilities, and a risk-adverse approach
combined with ridged funding arrangements stifling some
activities and innovations.
MPs are likely to question witnesses on the readiness of their
organisations to implement the scale and quantity of reforms
needed and consider the need for an overarching strategy to guide
efforts. The Committee may also explore if regulators have the
skills and necessary data to target their efforts more
effectively and how businesses can be better supported in working
with regulators.
Witnesses from 3.30pm:
-
, Permanent Secretary, Defra
- Sally Randall, Director General for Environment, Defra
- Philip Duffy, Chief Executive, Environment Agency
- Marian Spain, Chief Executive, Natural England
