Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 15
15
We asked about the diversity of the workforce to deliver these environmental goals, and the...
Conclusion
We asked about the diversity of the workforce to deliver these environmental goals, and the Environment Agency noted the steps it has taken to improve diversity, for example going into technical institutes where there may be a higher proportion of Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates and offering apprenticeships to help attract them to the organisation.40 Natural England acknowledged that the communities it needs to engage with in driving nature as a health solution, including those with high proportions of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, are not currently reflected in its workforce. It told us that it wants to invest in tackling this in future to build a more representative workforce.41 On gender, the Environment Agency noted that currently 44% of its senior leaders are women, with a target of 50%. It also noted other measures to improve female representation throughout the organisation, such as a scheme to attract female engineers and a network to help support them once recruited.42 Natural England told us that it has the right balance, with 56% of its workforce being women.43
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.