Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
74th Report - Environmental regulation
Public Accounts Committee
HC 1687
Published 25 March 2026
Government response
Treasury Minutes: Government response - 74th Report - Environmental regulation
Recommendations & Conclusions
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence...
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency, and Natural England.1
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee’s concerns about the effectiveness, coherence and resourcing of environmental regulation, and will provide a written update within six months, setting out progress across these reforms.
HM Treasury
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26
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The Planning and Infrastructure Act is a wide-ranging reform of the planning system, intended to...
Conclusion
The Planning and Infrastructure Act is a wide-ranging reform of the planning system, intended to accelerate housing delivery and remove barriers to infrastructure development across England. The Act introduces the Nature Restoration Levy, a mechanism which allows developers pay into …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's description of the Planning and Infrastructure Act and the Nature Restoration Levy, clarifying that Biodiversity Net Gain and the Nature Restoration Fund are distinct yet complementary policies.
HM Treasury
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27
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Defra told us that the Nature Restoration Fund is an innovative solution which will unblock...
Conclusion
Defra told us that the Nature Restoration Fund is an innovative solution which will unblock developments and also deliver better outcomes for nature.72 It explained that the Fund will allow it to take a wider view of actions it can …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the Nature Restoration Fund, clarifying its role as distinct but complementary to Biodiversity Net Gain, focusing on unblocking developments stalled by environmental obligations while BNG applies more broadly to new housing and infrastructure projects.
HM Treasury
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