Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 73
73
Paragraph: 352
We recommend that the level of financial support provided to the Environment Agency be reviewed...
Recommendation
We recommend that the level of financial support provided to the Environment Agency be reviewed as a matter of urgency in the light of its new statutory responsibilities and the scale of the regulatory task it faces, recognising its continued need for efficiency. Water quality in rivers 129 We further recommend that the Environment Agency, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Treasury review the relevant provisions of the Agency’s environmental permitting charging scheme so as to ensure that charges for discharge permits and related activities properly reflect the cost to the Agency for these activities
Paragraph Reference:
352
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Through the Comprehensive Spending Review in November 2021 and subsequent budget determination process, Defra has reviewed the Environment Agency’s Grant-in-Aid water quality budget. The department has made significant increases to the Environment Agency’s budget for inspections and enforcement of the farming sector and water companies, allowing 500 sewerage inspections per year and 4000 farms visits. In addition to increased funding to enable the Environment Agency to modernise and digitise their water quality monitoring system. The Environment Agency also receives charging funds from permits that it can use to increase compliance.