10 Feb 2016

Water Briefing ‘The Department for Food Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) has now formally issued new charging guidance to Ofwat since it was laid in Parliament for consideration on 9 November 2015.  The Guidance to the water sector regulator establishes the policy framework within which Ofwat sets charging rules for the water industry. Its purpose […]

08 Feb 2016

Environmental Leaders write to Truss about BREXIT – Green Alliance Jan 27th Brexit would be damaging to UK’s environment, warn senior experts Alastair Harper Head of politics aharper@green-alliance.org.uk    A high powered group of environment and conservation experts, including four former chairs of UK environment agencies, have written to the Defra Secretary of State Liz Truss, […]

02 Feb 2016

Gradually a picture is emerging of how Liz Truss sees a post spending review Defra. Both the EFRA interview and speech to the Institute for Government develop ideas further. A number of new Pathfinder studies are announced. EFRA committee interview with Liz Truss – watch the video – January 26th Speech on reforming Defra for […]

26 Jan 2016

Water briefing: The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has published its second catchment partnerships report for the period 2014-15. Defra delegated the powers to provide financial assistance to the Environment Agency in order to support the establishment and maintenance of partnerships across all 87 (and 6 crossborder) water management catchments in England. The Environment Agency has […]

17 Jan 2016

The green light for North Yorkshire coastal path reinforces recent Government announcements   on their commitment to coastal path investment. Defra 15th Jan  ‘New coastal paths have been approved from Filey Brigg to Newport Bridge and Dunball Wharf to St Audries Bay. The longest single section of coastal path ever to be approved has been given […]

30 Nov 2015

There are a bewildering array of other elements behind the headline % cuts which are lower than predicted. Smoke and mirrors, billions down the back of the sofa, an OBR windfall (£27bn) is how the ‘new’ money has been described. The Defra statement is set out below. Three elements begin to emerge: The flood infrastructure […]

17 Nov 2015

Defra spending  Economists at RSPB & The Wildlife Trusts say Defra is being hit with the biggest cuts http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/409659-rspb-and-the-wildlife-trusts-criticise-decision-to-cut-funding-for-environment-by-up-to-40?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=News  ADAS – research collaborations being cut https://www.fginsight.com/news/defra-starts-pulling-the-plug-on-research-projects-as-spending-cuts-bite-7783 The Environmental Audit Committee has commissioned the National Audit Office to audit the Treasury’s Spending Review process for its environmental impact.  Statement from the Chair Environmental Audit Committee Chair, […]