Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Government needs to ensure that organisations have access to the skills and resources they require...
Conclusion
Government needs to ensure that organisations have access to the skills and resources they require to play their part in delivering environmental goals.35 The Department told us that both scientific and project management skills are required to make progress, particularly in the Environment Agency and Natural England as key delivery bodies.36 The Treasury acknowledged the skills gap in scientific capability in the Department’s group, as a result of the reduction in financing between 2010 and 2015. But it noted that the Spending Review is a move towards rectifying the situation, and that “institutional and structural” backing from the Treasury will be forthcoming as it better integrates the environment into the way it makes spending decisions.37 The Environment Agency told us it has a particular risk of skills loss in nuclear and hazardous waste management. This is largely due to its inability to pay the market rate offered in the private sector, though it seeks to mitigate this by topping up salaries where possible and developing in-house talent.38 Natural England noted that, although it does not yet have any “real, hard gaps” in skills, it has also experienced problems in attracting and retaining staff due to salary gaps between itself and environmental non-governmental organisations.39
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: By end of 2021. 4.2 The department is working with HM Treasury, cross-government and with other delivery partners to understand and develop the skills required to deliver across environmental outcomes. It recognises there is significantly more required to assess the skills required and the capability and capacity available to deliver the long-term ambition. 4.3 Since publication of the Environment Plan, additional investment has been secured to increase capacity and focus on the environment to make progress across the Defra group. 4.4 Natural England recognises the Environment Bill and the Environment Plan as key components of their ‘People Strategy 2019-2023’. As a science-led, science-based organisation with a significant proportion of staff from professional scientific backgrounds, Natural England recognises the importance of applying science to understand how a wider whole ecosystem works. 4.5 Environment Agency strategic workforce planning has previously identified skill gaps in some critical areas of the business and have sought to implement measures to manage and mitigate these risks. The Agency continually reviews whether further interventions are needed to maintain and develop a skilled workforce. 4.6 In addition to the work of the Defra group, the government will develop a wider skills and capability plan and approach to help provide long term capability improvements to help progress towards the long-term ambitions.