01 May 2025
Image description: Aerial shot of water treatment centre. Image by Tom Fisk. Unprecedented challenges facing UK water sector A critical new report by the National Audit Office (NAO) audits the three water regulators (Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate) and Defra, which sets policies for the water sector. It examines their effectiveness […]
09 Dec 2020
UK sets ambitious new climate target ahead of UN Summit A new plan aims for at least 68% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade, compared to 1990 levels. The Prime Minister has today (Friday 4 December) announced a new ambitious target to reduce the UK’s emissions by at least 68% […]
03 Dec 2020
NAO This report evaluates whether government’s approach to managing the risks of flooding and coastal erosion is achieving value for money. Background to the report Flooding and coastal erosion put lives, livelihoods and people’s well-being at risk. The Environment Agency (EA) estimates that 5.2 million homes and businesses in England are at risk of flooding […]
12 Nov 2020
NAO ‘Achieving government’s long-term environmental goals This report examines how government has set itself up to deliver its long-term environmental goals. Background to the report Government wants this to be the first generation to leave the natural environment of England in a better state than it inherited, and to help protect and improve the global […]
09 Jun 2020
Public Accounts Committee – review of NAO on water supply – Defra, EA & Ofwat = questioned – also covers Covid at the start – watch the video Defra ‘There has been further coverage of dry weather over the weekend in the Sunday Times and Daily Star, following the meeting of the National Drought Group chaired by […]
05 May 2020
Last week, the Chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC), Philip Dunne, wrote to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) warning that parts of UK could run out of water and calling for Government action, requesting an update on measures such as leakage targets and managing water consumption. Read the letter here. […]
26 Mar 2020
Hot on the heals of the Environment Agency water resources strategy NAO produce a report highlighting the issues Water supply and demand management – National Audit Office ‘The government must take more concerted action now to prevent parts of southern England running out of water within 20 years, according to a National Audit Office (NAO) […]
06 Jun 2019
National Audit Office ‘The government’s new farming policy will be a significant change for farmers in England and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has a lot to do to prepare for its implementation at a time when its resources are already under immense pressure from its preparations for EU Exit. In […]
