Defra slammed for ‘inefficient’ use of millions of paper forms

The government’s environmental department (Defra) has been heavily criticised for its “inefficient and expensive” over reliance on paper forms. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has revealed that Defra still handles around 14 million paper forms every year. Consequently, the group of cross-party MPs warns that Defra is at “constant risk of failure or cyber attack” due to its outdated processes. It adds that a pro-active strategy for digital transformation is needed to ensure the UK has a safe supply of water and food.